Nigerians in U.S. accuse FG of running inefficient passport system, risking security breach
Nigerians in the United States have bemoaned the lacklustre and inefficient manner in which the federal government handles the issuance of passports in Atlanta and New York, asserting that it exposed the country’s database to security breaches with devastating consequences.
Members of the Organisation for the Advancement of Nigerians wrote Minister of Interior Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo on January 15, expressing their disappointment over his inaction to avail passport printers at the Atlanta and New York consulates, consequently overworking the Washington D.C consulate and causing a huge backlog in other U.S. states, which have to wait for officials to make a round trip to D.C. for their travel documents every month.
OAN noted that the trips were dangerous as they posed a risk to national security by exposing the country’s database to potential cyberattacks.
They lamented that Mr Tunji-Ojo’s refusal to take action —since their first letter in February 2024— has “left many Nigerians stranded and unable to travel for emergencies, work or family commitments.”
“The lack of passport printers in New York and Atlanta continues to cause unnecessary delays, creating a bottleneck that is entirely avoidable with the right infrastructure,” reads the letter signed by Olutomi Aregbesola sent on Wednesday.
“Sending immigration officers to Washington, DC. Monthly to print passports exposes Nigeria’s national database to potential security breaches,” Mr Aregbesola stated. “This is a risk that can be mitigated by establishing passport printers in New York and Atlanta.”
OAN asked Mr Tunji-Ojo to “act swiftly and rectify this situation” while providing periodic updates to Nigerians in the U.S. on actions taken.
The interior minister did not immediately respond to a request for comments on the accusations.
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
Economy
Diesel prices rise above $6 per gallon for first time ever in U.S.
The price of diesel surged to $6.06 per gallon, a first-time high in the U.S. that indicates the impact of the monthslong U.S.-Iran conflict.
World
Attempt to use AI to make biological weapons blocked, says Anthropic
Anthropic says it thwarted attempts by rogue elements to use its AI models for “malicious activity” that could support the development of biological weapons.
Abuja
FG begins paying exit benefits to civil servants, 175 retirees receive N1.1 billion
The federal government has begun paying the newly introduced exit benefit for retiring federal civil servants, with about N1.1 billion paid to 175 retirees.
World
25 Years After: How al-Qaeda terrorists crashed hijacked plane into Twin Towers, Pentagon, killed 2,977 people on September 11
Today, September 11, marks the 25th anniversary of the deadly terrorist attack on the World Trade Centre and the Pentagon in America, killing 2,977 people.
Africa
U.S. to host delegation from Nigeria, Kenya, others to strengthen maritime security
USTDA will host a business briefing in Washington on Wednesday where representatives of U.S. companies will engage the delegates one-on-one.
Lagos
Netizens react after Lagos woman gets one-month imprisonment for dumping refuse in drain
“One month? Bawo, even this Lagos State is a joke. The gravity of that offence warrants six months to a year imprisonment, to be candid,” stated Moneer Alao.
