FG Resolves Passport Printing Crisis at Nigerian Consulates in US
Abuja, Nigeria – The Federal Government has resolved the passport printing crisis at Nigeria’s consulates in New York and Atlanta, United States, following the installation of new printing machines.
The move comes after Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, issued a directive in January 2025 to address delays in passport processing caused by outdated machines. The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) delivered and installed the new printers on Tuesday.
FG Responds to Diaspora Concerns
Nigerians in the United States had recently expressed concerns over prolonged delays in obtaining passports due to malfunctioning printing equipment. The latest intervention is expected to ease the backlog and improve efficiency at the consulates.
In a statement on Wednesday, the Minister’s Special Adviser on Media, Babatunde Alao, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to service improvement.
“The Ministry is committed to innovation and improved service delivery. The installation of these new printers demonstrates our dedication to addressing the needs of Nigerians at home and abroad.”
Part of Broader Passport Reforms
According to the statement, the printer installations are part of broader passport reform initiatives by the Ministry of Interior. These include:
- The establishment of the Abuja Passport Personalisation Centre
- Expansion of contactless passport solutions to more regions
Tunji-Ojo further noted that these reforms align with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, aimed at improving government services and enhancing the welfare of Nigerians.
With the new printers now operational, passport processing times in New York and Atlanta are expected to significantly improve, providing relief to Nigerians in the diaspora.
