The Federal Government has ended 62 years of producing passports at scattered centres across the country, establishing a centralised system in Abuja.
Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, disclosed this during an inspection of the new Centralised Passport Personalisation Centre at the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) headquarters.
He explained that this is the first time since 1963, when NIS was created, that the country has operated a central passport production system.
“The project is 100 per cent ready. Nigeria can now be more productive and efficient in delivering passport services,” he said.
Before this reform, daily passport production stood at only 250 to 300. The new centre, however, can now deliver between 4,500 and 5,000 daily.
“With this, NIS can now meet daily demands within just four to five hours of operation,” the minister noted.
He stressed the government’s commitment to reducing delivery timelines: “We promised two-week delivery, and we’re now pushing for one week. Automation and optimisation are crucial for keeping this promise to Nigerians.”
Tunji-Ojo described the centralisation project as a key step in standardising Nigerian passports, enhancing their global credibility, and streamlining services for citizens.
He emphasised that the reform is consistent with President Bola Tinubu’s broader agenda to modernise government institutions.
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