I woke up to the news of a commissioning of a Passport Front Office in the Ministry of Interior under a Minister that has all along being the champion of a new Passport Regime and Reform for two years is a self indictment, exhibition of public failure, showmanship and it is pure media theatrics.
The Former Heads of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS),may not see this as an affront or direct challenge to their labour,but going by the National Anthem, ” The labour of our heroes past shall never be in vain”, are we walking the talk or paying lip service to such clause in our National Anthem?
The Front Offices at the Villa,National Assembly,Foreign Affairs Ministry and even the VIP front office at NIS headquarters are not enough and sufficient to handle the propagated timely and swift process pronounced during the commissioning by the Minister of Interior to take care of high profile,senior public officials and friends.
Many onlookers are thrown aback as to what is the level of performance of the agency saddled with Passport Issuance and Administration in the last two years under the Minister,if up till now,the system remains a challenge and alternative office has to be opened in the Ministry of Interior
The system needs a complete overhaul, and sanctions meted on supervisors for failing to deliver as mandated especially the Chief Executive and Head of Directorate who have failed in their appointments.
The NIS is getting backlash of leadership failure rubbing on the service integrity and professional stand in the eye of the public.
Every Immigration officer serving or retired should bury their head in shame,for failing the country,if only,it is a front office that will make the system to work effectively.
NIS has been reduced to the level of a department not a service. From August,1963,some 62 years ago,it is a shame and a complete disappointment to Nigerians that the once vibrant,highly professional,competitive system is in Comotous.There is need for a complete rejig of the system and leadership of the service.
Even the Visa backlash Nigeria is experiencing presently is a product of Visa Reciprocity ; you do me,I do you. Professionals have lend their voices to the trending e- Visa launched by NIS in May,2025, and its attendant non performance. It is rather dragging the country into Visa war with advance systems that knows how to use the Visa regime as a tool for control of mobility and stamping sovereign authority to checkmate abuse.
We must learn from the US imposition of three months ,Single Entry Visa for Non-Immigrants and Nigerians.
As onlookers,NIS must wake up.
* *James Sunday, Former Head of Media, Nigeria Immigration Service*
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