The Nigerian Immigration Service will open a Passport Front Office in the Igbogbo-Baiyeku Local Council Development Area of Ikorodu, Lagos State, today (Friday).

The Igbogbo Passport Office will decongest the Ikoyi Passport Office and reduce the processing and waiting time for passport applications.

Speaking with The PUNCH in a telephone interview on Thursday, the Passport Control Officer, Nigerian Immigration Service, Igbogbo Passport Officer, Ikorodu, Deputy Comptroller Muyiwa Odunubi, said the new passport front office, which would be unveiled around 12.30 pm today, is situated on Owolabi Sodara Street, Bola Ahmed Tinubu Way, Igbogbo.

Odunubi said the facility can sit 200 applicants, adding that it will be a front office for now until full production commences at the facility at a later date.

“We have a sitting capacity of about 200 applicants at once. It is a front office as of now. Applicants will do their capturing at the facility and the production will be done at the Ikoyi Passport Office for now,” the PCO said.

He said, “We have more than 30 staff for now. We will bring more as time goes on, depending on where we may have lapses.”

He commended the monarch of Igbogbo, the Adeboruwa of Igbogbo Kingdom, Oba Semiudeen Kasali, the chiefs as well as members of the Igbogbo Development Association for their support in making the vision of having a passport office in the area a reality.

“The community has tried their best to embrace us and to assist the government in their own little way to establish this passport office. The kabiyesi has been a wonderful royal father. The chiefs too have been very supportive, so also is the leadership of IDEA,” Odunubi added.

He appealed for more support for the office for the smooth running of its operations.