Rauf Aregbesola, Minister of Interior, has announced that Nigerians will soon obtain their passports from various local government areas.

Mr Aregbesola disclosed this in a statement on Sunday during the Passports Express Centre’s inauguration at Maitama District.

Mr Aregbesola noted that the facility signified the passport issuance policy’s decentralisation. He added that the federal government would establish more centres in every local government to offer Nigerians specialised services.

The minister stated that the ministry’s move to commence operation at the newly opened facility was for the Nigeria Immigration Service to offer citizens convenient services at the passport offices.

“MPEC is in response to the yearnings of the general public for the Ministry of Interior and the Nigeria Immigration Service to devise additional ways that the Passport Issuance process can be less stressful and more efficient,” he said.

Mr Aregbesola added, “It is the future. The goal is to have a facility like this in every local government in the country. Every Nigerian has the right to a Nigerian passport. It is our responsibility to put it in the hands of anyone desirous of it within the shortest possible time, without stress.

“The passport should be available in a maximum of 72 hours of a successful application. Where there are issues, the applicant must be notified within 48 hours.”