The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has unveiled a centralised passport personalisation system that can produce up to 5,000 passports daily, a major leap from the previous capacity of just 250–300 passports across multiple centres.
Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, made the announcement on Thursday during an inspection of the new Centralised Passport Personalisation Centre at the NIS headquarters in Abuja.
Calling the development a “game-changing reform,” Tunji-Ojo explained that this is the first time in 62 years that Nigeria will operate a single, centralised passport production hub.
“For the first time in 62 years, NIS is operating a single central passport production hub. This project is 100 per cent ready, and it will allow Nigeria to be more productive and efficient in delivering passport services,” the Minister said.
Faster Processing and Delivery
With the new facility, the NIS can now meet daily passport demands within four to five hours of operation, significantly reducing processing delays.
Built in partnership with IRISMAT Technologies Limited, the centre uses advanced machines capable of producing 1,000 passports per hour.
“We promised two-week delivery, but with automation and optimisation, we are now pushing for one week,” Tunji-Ojo stated.
He noted that the move marks the end of the era of backlogs and delays, revealing that over 204,000 pending applications inherited by the administration have now been cleared.
Global Standards and Reform Agenda
The Minister stressed that the centralised system not only boosts efficiency but also aligns Nigeria’s passport production with global standards, ensuring better uniformity and integrity of the country’s travel documents.
“This is more than just about documents; it’s about restoring trust and showing Nigerians that their government can deliver effectively,” he added.
He also highlighted that the initiative fits into President Bola Tinubu’s reform agenda to modernise key government institutions and improve service delivery.
What You Should Know
The push for efficiency comes at a higher cost for Nigerians. From September 1, 2025, the NIS increased passport fees:
- 32-page passport (5 years validity): N100,000 (up from N50,000)
- 64-page passport (10 years validity): N200,000 (up from N100,000)
The Service said the increment was necessary to sustain the modernised infrastructure and provide more efficient services.
With the launch of this centralised facility, Nigerians at home and abroad are expected to experience faster processing, fewer backlogs, and improved passport delivery timelines.
