By Ikenwa Charity
The Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has promised Nigerians a comprehensive review of migration and visa policies to simplify the processes for both citizens at home and abroad.
The Minister stated this on Tuesday in Abuja when he received the Chairman/CEO, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, who led the management team of the Commission on a courtesy visit.
In a statement signed by the Head of Media, Public Relations Protocols Unit NIDCOM, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, the Minister said that the Ministry will collaborate with key stakeholders to ensure that Nigeria aligns with global standards while also addressing lopsidedness in current policies that make Nigeria a dumping ground.
The minister who shared concern about the challenges with passport processing, capturing and collection assured that everything will be done to make the process easier as the review will prioritize reciprocity principles consistent with international norms.
Earlier in her speech, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman/CEO of NIDCOM, praised the Minister’s dynamism in improving passport issuance for Nigerians worldwide but advocated for more efficient capturing and collection processes.
She also highlighted NIDCOM’s efforts towards data mapping of Nigerians in diaspora, improving remittances, creating focal persons and holding annual diaspora day on July 25th as well as other programmes geared towards welfare interventionist measures.
She called for structural collaboration among various Ministries, Departments and Agencies to address complex diaspora issues requiring coordinated efforts from all parties involved.
