The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has achieved a historic breakthrough by raising its daily passport production capacity from about 300 to 5,000, thanks to the launch of a new Centralised Passport Personalisation Centre in Abuja.
Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, described the development as a turning point in Nigeria’s 62-year history of passport issuance, noting that the reform marks the beginning of a faster, more reliable, and globally competitive system.
For decades, the decentralized system operated with outdated machines, barely managing 250 to 300 passports each day. The new centralized hub, however, can process up to 5,000 passports daily within just four to five hours of operation.
“This is a game-changer for Nigerians. We made a promise of two-week delivery, but now we are working towards a one-week timeline. Automation and optimization are at the heart of this commitment,” Tunji-Ojo said after inspecting the facility on Thursday.
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He stressed that, for the first time since the creation of the NIS in 1963, Nigeria now runs a passport production system that matches global standards. The reform, he explained, will not only enhance efficiency but also strengthen the credibility of Nigerian travel documents on the international stage.
The minister added that the initiative is part of President Bola Tinubu’s reform agenda to modernize government services and restore citizens’ trust in public institutions.
“With this centralization, we are setting a new benchmark. Nigerians can now take pride in a passport system that is faster, more transparent, and internationally respected,” Tunji-Ojo declared.
The landmark upgrade positions the NIS as one of Africa’s most efficient passport authorities and is expected to drastically reduce backlogs, curb corruption, and end the frustration many Nigerians face in obtaining travel documents.
