Passport Delay In London, Tunji-Ojo Orders Investigation

Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has ordered an immediate investigation into issues of passport delays in London, the United Kingdom.

Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo gave the order following protest that erupted in Nigeria’s embassy in London, on Wednesday. The protesters, in the video that has gone viral on X, lamented that it takes six months to renew or secure a new passport from the embassy because they refused to pay $300.

An X account, Oluomo of Derby – @oluomoofderby, posted the video. In the video, the protesters were demanding the resignation of Bashir Aminu. Some of the placards of the protesters read “Bashir Aminu Must Go”, “Nigerians In Diaspora are suffering”, “No More Wait For Six Months. “We Say No to $300”

Another X user, OfficeOfTheNigerianCitizen – @kcemenike, alleged that a memo from the Ministry of Interior ordered Nigeria’s Embassy in London to charge applicants in the UK interested in a fast-tracked passport process $300.

He further alleged that most of the applicants have had to wait for six months for passport because they refused to pay $300 for the fast-track process.

“The minister through an official communiqué has ordered anyone who is interested in getting an expedited passport processing to be paying an outrageous sum of three hundred dollars ($300).

“According to many people who provided documents from Nigerian House in King Charles enclave, people who need urgent passport are contrived to pay the sum in order to be able to get a passport.

“Though, it is believed that it will be understandable even if the charges are high, but, why many are not happy with the minister is that the passport, which should ordinarily be easy to procure, has turned to a mirage which takes sometimes more than six months to come out.

“This gives little or no chance to people who want the passport, except the $300 window. With this new way, it is looking more like a deliberate game plan to delay the official passport release in favour of the fast -track in order to subject Nigerians in the UK to new misery,” the handle alleged.

In his reaction, on Wednesday, the Minister of Interior said actions would be taken, after investigating the allegations and the delay in processing passports for Nigerians.

“My attention has been drawn to the complaints at the Nigerian Embassy in London regarding issues with passport applications.

“I have ordered an immediate investigation into the matters arising, and I assure you that corresponding actions will be taken soonest.

“We appreciate the patience and understanding of all affected citizens as we strive towards an efficient service delivery in line with global best practices,” Tunji-Ojo wrote on his X handle.