The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has revealed plans to open passport front offices in major cities across the United Kingdom, including Manchester, Birmingham, Cardiff (Wales), and Scotland.
This initiative aims to address the concerns of Nigerians facing difficulties renewing their passports at foreign missions, particularly in London and New York due to high Nigerian concentrations.
Speaking on the Tuesday edition of Channels Television’s Politics Today, Tunji-Ojo emphasized the significance of this move for the Nigerian diaspora.
He acknowledged the challenges in London and New York and outlined the government’s commitment to opening front offices in key UK cities by February 2024.
According to Tunji-Ojo, the expansion of passport services to Manchester, Birmingham, Cardiff, and Scotland is a strategic solution to reduce stress, waiting times, and enhance efficiency in the passport renewal process.
He recognized the necessity of this step, considering the hundreds of thousands of Nigerians residing in the UK and the demand for passport services.
The minister also highlighted the importance of assessing the immigration office’s capacity, emphasizing the need to understand how many people are requesting passports and ensuring that the system can accommodate the demand.
This proactive approach aims to streamline the passport procurement process for Nigerians living in various cities across the United Kingdom.
