Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, on Tuesday paid an unannounced visit to the Nigerian Immigration Service passport office in Gwagwalada, Abuja, where he criticised delays in passport processing and warned applicants against making extra payments. The minister inspected operations at the VIP and Children section of the passport office and engaged both officials and applicants, questioning why applicants were still waiting long after the office was expected to commence operations. Because I can see some people waiting downstairs, and our responsibility is to be efficient,” the minister said. Tunji-Ojo also faulted the under-utilisation of the VIP and Children section, noting that applicants waiting in other sections could have been redirected to ease congestion. The minister reiterated that passport offices must prioritise efficiency and fairness.

Source: Punch January 20, 2026 13:48 UTC