No More Delay Involved In Issuance Of Passports – Ekiti Immigration Comptroller 

The Comptroller of the Nigerian Immigration Service, NIS, in Ekiti State, Mr Kayode Abdurasheed Ademola has assured Nigerians that there are no more delay involved in the issuance of passports to interested applicants who wishes to apply. Abdurasheed revealed that any fresh applicants applying for their International Passports would get it within six (6) weeks after capturing them while those who wants to do passport renewal would only last for three weeks.

The Comptroller made the clarification while playing host to the members of the Online Media Chapel of the Nigeria Union Of Journalists, Ekiti State Council on Tuesday in his office.

Speaking during the visit, the Comptroller of the Nigerian Immigration Service, NIS, in Ekiti State, Mr. Abdurasheed, while reacting to the time of many applicants usually being wasted in getting their passport either renewed or approved afresh, said “the process can only be seamless if the applicants’ data are correctly filled in line with National Identification Number, NIN, issued by the Federal Government”. 

Explaining further, the Comptroller said “applicants are attended to based on the date of appointment. Applicants do not need to flood the NIS Office because they have been given time to visit for whatever exercise they want to carry out”, he declared. 

He added that applicants can also apply online and bring the completed application to the immigration office for the final process. He stressed that applicants do not necessarily need to be at the NIS office before they could apply for passport, saying that the exercise has been digitalized. 

He reiterated that the passport issuance with correct data takes not later than three to six weeks for re-issuance and fresh application.

Talking further, Comptroller Kayode said the price for passport issuance and renewal are affordable.

Clarifying why some applications are delayed, the Public Relation Officer of Ekiti State Immigration, Mr. Daramola, said “the discrepancies on the names and date of birth of applicants on their National Identification Number (NIN) was responsible for delay in processing International passport”. 

He enjoined prospective applicants to ensure their data tally with their NIN for easy and seamless processing. Stressing that passport can be applied for and gotten from any of the thirty six states of the federation.

Comptroller Kayode pointed out that applicants from other states do come to Ekiti State because of less traffic and timely attention.

$Comptroller Kayode applauded the federal government for designing the scheme in such a way that it allows officials to upgrade themselves through regular training, retraining and engaging in re-fresher courses which he said can enhanced their operations”.

Earlier, the Chairman, Online Chapel Media, Comrade Ayodele Abere has sought to partner with the Commission for adequate reporting of immigration activities in Ekiti State. He Stated that their activities are under covered compared to other agencies in the State. 

While responding, the Comptroller applauded the importance of Media in the society, saying the Commission would partner with Online Journalists for accurate reportage of their activities.

He reiterated his commitment to avail Ekiti Journalists information that would put the Commission in the good perspective of the society