THE Federal Government has ended the production of Nigerian passports at multiple centres, introducing a centralised system for the first time since the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) was established in 1963.
The Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, announced the reform today during an inspection of the new Centralised Passport Personalisation Centre at the NIS headquarters in Abuja.
He described the development as a landmark achievement in the country’s passport administration.
According to the minister, the centralised facility, now fully operational, will boost efficiency and speed in processing passports.
While the old system produced only 250 to 300 passports daily, the new infrastructure can handle between 4,500 and 5,000 each day, enabling the NIS to meet demand within four to five hours of operation.
“We promised Nigerians a two-week delivery timeline, but with this system, we are working toward achieving a one-week turnaround. Automation and optimisation are the keys to keeping this promise,” Tunji-Ojo said.
He explained that centralising production, in line with global best practices, would enhance the uniformity and credibility of Nigerian travel documents worldwide.
The move, he added, aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s reform agenda aimed at transforming public service delivery.
The minister emphasised that the project marks the beginning of a new era for passport services in Nigeria, with a focus on efficiency, integrity, and improved service to citizens.