REVEALED: NIPOST, NIS partner to reduce delays in passport collection

The Nigerian Postal Service has revealed plans to collaborate with the Nigeria Immigration Service to improve the turnaround time for passport collection.

The Postmaster General/Chief Executive Officer, NIPOST, Sunday Adepoju, stated this at the Service Command Headquarters, Sauka, Abuja, when he led NIPOST management on a working visit to the Acting Comptroller General, NIS, Caroline Wura-Ola Adepoju.

The Postmaster General stated that the collaboration became necessary due to the development of an integrated service delivery model by NIPOST.

“This service incorporates various government services and information which would be provided to citizens in a one-stop shop environment using several channels to meet different needs of the citizens at selected post office locations nationwide.

“With this proposal, NIS will leverage NIPOST infrastructure for the collection of passports and adopting the postal network as an e-fulfillment centre for enhancing the digital economy,” he explained.

Adepoju added that the roles and responsibilities of the development are for a sustainable and integrated framework for the process of e-passport, provision of courier services, and address verification validation.

This, he said, would harmonise the various e-government initiatives in the agency as well as consolidate NIPOST efforts to reaffirm productivity synergy with NIS.

In her remarks, the acting CG NIS lauded NIPOST for developing a standardised digital postcode system, which would aid the agency in issuing Nigerian passports.

According to her, the collaboration would address the issues facing Nigerians while seeking to register for passports, reduce the waiting period before biometric data capture, and make passport processing seamless and faster, thereby assuaging the pain Nigerians go through to obtain Nigerian passports.

She also commended the management of NIPOST for the development of an address verification system, a breakthrough for identity management that, according to her, is a major initiative for forensic crime management.

She added, “The service will continue to explore ways and cultivate strategic partnerships to help her fulfil her mandate to Nigerians.”

The Postmaster General and the acting CG agreed to develop a framework for the working relationship in due course.