Processing of new passport applications and renewal of expired ones in all passport offices has been suspended effective Monday, May 17, 2021.
The directive to this effect was issued by Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, through a circular by A.B Yarima, Deputy Comptroller General (PTD), for the Comptroller General of Immigration.
The circular, dated May 17, 2021 is copied to all DCGs, Zonal Coordinators, Command Comptrollers, All PCOs and Heads of Passport Offices.
The directive, which came into immediate effect, according to the circular, became “necessary to allow enough time to clear all backlog of applications sequel to the commencement of the new passport regime on 1st June, 2021.”
All PCOs have, therefore, been “directed to utilise this period, 17th May, 2021 to 31st May 2021 to ensure that all backlogs are produced and handed over to Command Comptrollers for collection by members of the public concerned.”
The circular stressed that “new application for passports, whether fresh or renewal are by this circular suspended till 1st June, 2021.”
There have been complaints by Nigerians who have been having problems getting their new passport applications processed or the old ones renewed leading to the introduction of the new regime that would take effect from June 1, 2021.
A senior official of one of the Nigerian Consulates General abroad, however, confirmed to GPNews that the embargo does not affect passport offices outside Nigeria.
