What The Tech Is Going On At The Passport Office?

This is a new but old story. You have experienced the same level of frustration before and you have vowed never to let it happen again. But here you were face to face with the same scenario. Right in the bowel of the immigration office. Waiting for the biometric enrolment. What is your story? Was it good? Was it horrible? Do you want to recount your story so others can relate or learn valuable lessons? I do not know.
I do know that policymakers and policies in Nigeria do not look at second and third order effects. To do that, it would require DESS. Discussions. Engagements. Studies. Simulations. Ah, where? We do not have time for that luxury. It is time-wasting. That is why you need to visit the immigration office again.
If you need to obtain a passport, you must visit the office. If you need to renew your passport, you must visit the office. If you need to change some information on your passport, you must visit the office. But, you know, technology can shorten the current cycle. I was there recently with a family member. That is the root of this story.
On The One Hand
What technology is in the passport? The biometric chip. It uses contactless smart card technology. It has a microprocessor chip and antenna. It powers the chip and helps communication. It is inside the front and back cover of your passport. All passports have the chip. Thalesgroup.com explained that the microchip sits between the various layers of polycarbonate. It holds all your personal information. Your passport has about 100 security measures. The polycarbonate data page. Hologram. Biometric chip. Print design. Watermark. Security fibres etc.
On The Other Hand
My passport contains many technologies. Tell me. Why do I need to visit the immigration for a renewal? Why do I need to undergo another biometric exercise? For instance, the chip enables the issuing office to connect with facial recognition technology. This helps the issuer to move around faster and securely. Besides, the laser technology prevents forgers from altering any of the numbers. The small conical holes in your passport pages make it difficult for forgers to replace pages.
In The Long Term
My passport number does not change. Even if I renew my passport, the number does not change. Therefore, why do I need to visit the immigration office? A thought: Since the passport contains about 100 technology features, layer another interface to enable self-processing. The current online self-help is limiting.
The future-forward platform should enable self-biometric and facial capturing. This would cut off the crows at immigration offices. On the flip side, it would also stop the kolanuts flow! If you know what I mean you are a guru! Anyway, the enabling technology would speed up the process. It would bring further revenue into the government purse.
In The Short Term
What is the technology used in the designing of the Ikoyi immigration office in Lagos? In the waiting area, heavy metal bars are unnecessary. The bars made chaperons look like prisoners. A yam tuber cannot go missing in a barn without the connivance of some farm hands. It is a known story.