When Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, the interior minister, tweeted that “Nigerians can now apply for the international passport from the comfort of their homes” on Monday, people like Ire Dura (not real name) thought an end had come to the compulsory visits to the passport offices scattered across the country for capturing and biometrics.

Prior to this tweet, Tunji-Ojo had said that the automated passport application process would be launched on Monday, which would enable Nigerians to apply for their passports on the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) website with little physical contact with officials.

“I thought I would only have to go to any of their offices when it was time to collect my passport,” Dura told FIJ on Wednesday.

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“But of what use is this so-called automated application process if I still have to go to their office for capturing and biometrics? I can as well just do everything manually.”

Nigerians can now apply for the international passport from the comfort of their homes. #RenewedHope pic.twitter.com/e4zA2lKFr2

— Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo (@BTOofficial) January 8, 2024

Another applicant, who does not want to be named, told FIJ, “I tried to use the new website. You follow the instructions and submit a couple of credentials, but they still require us to visit the immigration office to submit our biometric information. We may have to wait until March or April before the whole process is fully automated.”

Shared on the interior minister’s X page are flyers containing five steps for enrollment: (1) Proceed to the website to enter your National Identification Number (NIN) to auto-fill your data from the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC). (2) Complete other data fields as required. (3) Upload a photograph and other supporting documents. (4) Walk into an immigration office for your biometric capture. (5) Your passport is ready for collection within two weeks.

In an interview with Channels TV on Monday, the minister said, “Starting March 8, Nigerians will no longer have to come to our offices for their biometrics. They can do it from the comfort of their homes and have their passports delivered to them.”

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Many Nigerians praised the ministry for the seemingly positive development, but some, like Duru, are concerned that past challenges will persist until the process becomes fully digital.

Adetayo Adegbemile made a comment on Wednesday, detailing how his wife was asked for additional payment after she applied for a passport renewal via the automated process.

Adegbemle’s post reads: “Dear Honorable Minister, It is my hope that you get to see this. Feedback on the online Passport Issuance/Renewal. It is for my wife. We filled all the necessary forms, made necessary payment, all online, booked appointment today, Wednesday 10th January. My wife went for the appointment, only for her to be asked for extra payment of N7,500, and another N15k if she wants her Passport immediately. This is a feedback on the online Passport process. I will proceed to write a mail to the email (still looking for it) provided for fees.”

“Walking into the Passport Office for capturing is when I knew there is nothing good or innovative about the whole idea. Let’s just pretend that it’s progress,” @chymaker also wrote on X.

Adetutu Balogun, another X user, asked, “Walk into an immigration office for your biometric capture is comfort of my home?”

“The only difference here is being able to upload photos and documents. There is nothing new as that, in my view. Application has been online for years now,” said @Momopee2.