The Nigerian Immigration Service has embargoed the issuance of international passports to applicants beginning from 18th May, till the 31st of May 2021.
This new development was announced by the Comptroller General of Immigration, Muhammed Babandede on Tuesday during a press briefing in Abuja.
According to him, the decision is to enable the service to clear its backlog, noting that it will no longer entertain fresh applications until the backlogs are cleared.
By implication, all passports in control offices are closed for fresh applications with effect from 18th May, while payments for international passports will be online immediately after the portal is opened in June.
It should be recalled that the Minister of Interior Rauf Aregbesola had earlier given a six-week timeline to investigate, verify and validate personal information supplied by the applicants.
Breakdown of the current backlog:
LOCAL- 71,644
ENHANCED-B46,814
FOREIGN -17,906
Source: Channels Tv