FG Centralises Passport Production for the First Time in 62 Years
The Federal Government has officially ended passport production at multiple centres across the country, marking the beginning of a new centralised system that is expected to transform Nigeria’s passport services after 62 years.
Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, announced the reform on Thursday during his inspection of the new Centralised Passport Personalisation Centre at the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) Headquarters in Abuja. He explained that this development is the first of its kind since the establishment of the NIS in 1963.
“This project is now 100 per cent ready, and Nigeria can finally become more productive and efficient in delivering passport services to its citizens,” Tunji-Ojo said.
For decades, Nigeria’s passport production relied on fragmented centres with outdated machines that could only produce between 250 and 300 passports daily. With the new centralised system, production capacity has now increased significantly to between 4,500 and 5,000 passports per day. This, according to the minister, will help meet growing demand within four to five hours of operation each day.
The reform is also expected to speed up processing times. Tunji-Ojo revealed that while the government had earlier promised a two-week delivery period, efforts are now being made to shorten the timeframe to just one week. He stressed that automation and optimisation of the system would be key to keeping this promise and ensuring Nigerians get faster and more reliable service.
He further explained that centralising passport production would not only improve efficiency but also bring Nigeria closer to global standards. The new system will ensure uniformity across all passports, reduce irregularities, and strengthen the integrity of Nigeria’s travel documents worldwide.
“This is a game-changer,” the minister said. “It aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s reform agenda, boosts the capacity of the NIS, and changes the entire narrative of service delivery in the passport system.”
Officials believe that this single production hub will also cut down on duplication, enhance accountability, and bring about much-needed transparency. Stakeholders say the reform could help rebuild trust in the NIS and reduce the frustration many Nigerians have faced for years when applying for or renewing passports.
For many citizens, the centralisation marks a major turning point in how government services are delivered. Observers note that if successfully implemented, it could serve as a model for other government agencies to adopt in driving digital transformation and efficiency.
