The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has increased its daily passport production capacity from approximately 300 to 5,000, following the launch of a new Centralised Passport Personalisation Centre in Abuja.
Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, announced the development on Thursday during an inspection of the facility at the NIS Headquarters, describing it as a landmark achievement in Nigeria’s 62-year history of passport issuance.
He noted that the old decentralised system was hampered by outdated equipment, which could only process between 250 and 300 passports daily. With the new centralised infrastructure, however, the NIS can now produce between 4,500 and 5,000 passports in just four to five hours of operation.
“This is a game-changer for passport processing in Nigeria,” Tunji-Ojo said. “We promised two-week delivery, and now we’re working toward a one-week target. Automation and optimisation are essential to keeping that promise to Nigerians.”
The minister explained that for the first time since the NIS was established in 1963, Nigeria now operates a centralised passport production system, aligning with international best practices. He said the reform will enhance efficiency, ensure uniformity, and improve the global credibility of Nigerian travel documents.
Tunji-Ojo added that the centralisation initiative is a key part of President Bola Tinubu’s broader public sector reform agenda, aimed at strengthening service delivery and restoring public confidence in government institutions.
“This development is about driving efficiency and building a passport system Nigerians can be proud of,” he said.
