Nigeria Immigration Service Launches Centralised Passport Centre
The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has unveiled a Centralised Passport Personalisation Centre at its headquarters in Abuja. The new facility can produce up to 5,000 passports daily, a massive leap from the previous 250–300 capacity spread across multiple centres.
The development was announced on Thursday by the Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, during an inspection of the new hub. He described the project as a game-changing reform in Nigeria’s passport processing system.
“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,” Tunji-Ojo said.
Faster Passport Processing and Delivery
With the centralised facility, NIS can now meet daily passport demands within four to five hours of operation, drastically cutting delays.
- The centre, built in partnership with IRISMAT Technologies Limited, uses advanced machines capable of producing 1,000 passports per hour.
- The reform brings Nigeria closer to its target of one-week passport delivery, compared to the old two-week timeline.
- According to the Minister, the backlog of over 204,000 pending applications has now been cleared.
“This centre puts an end to the era of backlogs and delays. Everything is automated and efficient, ensuring Nigerians get value for their money,” he added.
Alignment With Global Passport Standards
The centralised passport hub also aligns Nigeria with international standards for passport production, ensuring better uniformity, security, and integrity of travel documents worldwide.
Tunji-Ojo emphasised that the reform supports President Bola Tinubu’s modernisation agenda, which seeks to improve efficiency, strengthen public confidence, and restore trust in government services.
“This is more than just about documents; it’s about restoring trust and showing Nigerians that their government can deliver effectively,” the Minister noted.
What Nigerians Should Know: Increased Passport Fees
While efficiency is improving, Nigerians will now face higher passport fees. The NIS recently announced new charges effective September 1, 2025:
- 32-page passport (5-year validity): ₦100,000 (up from ₦50,000)
- 64-page passport (10-year validity): ₦200,000 (up from ₦100,000)
This 100% increase in costs comes as part of the Service’s reforms to sustain operations and align with the new centralised system.
Final Takeaway
The unveiling of the centralised passport production centre marks a historic milestone for Nigeria. With faster processing, automation, and stronger global compliance, the NIS is set to deliver passports more efficiently. However, the accompanying rise in passport fees may impact affordability for many Nigerians.
