The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has reported that approximately 97,000 passport booklets issued still remain uncollected in the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

The reason for this backlog is attributed to third-party applications and cases where applicants provided incorrect contact information during the application process.

Mr. Tony Akuneme, the NIS Public Relations Officer, explained that many applicants utilized agents to assist with their passport processing, resulting in erroneous contact details that hindered communication for passport collection.

This situation has posed a significant challenge for the NIS.

In response to the passport issues across the country, the Acting Comptroller General of NIS, Mrs. Caroline Adepoju, declared a state of emergency.

Akuneme stated that most of the complaints received by the NIS regarding passport processing were related to human and technical factors, such as slow internet speed.

To address these challenges, the NIS has sought collaboration with the Lagos State government.

The state’s governor has agreed to support the NIS in expanding passport services by providing office space for front desk operations and allocating land for staff quarters.