FG ENDS PASSPORT PRODUCTION AT MULTIPLE CENTRES, LAUNCHES FIRST-EVER CENTRALISED SYSTEM IN 62 YEARS

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By: Sefiu Ajape

The Nigeria Immigration Service has officially stopped passport production at multiple centres, moving to a single centralised system for the first time in 62 years.

Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, made this known on Thursday during an inspection of Nigeria’s new Centralised Passport Personalisation Centre at the NIS Headquarters in Abuja.

He explained that since NIS was established in 1963, the country had never operated a central passport production hub until now, describing the move as a significant reform milestone.

“The project is 100 per cent ready. Nigeria can now be more productive and efficient in delivering passport services,” Tunji-Ojo said.

According to him, the old machines could only produce between 250 and 300 passports daily, while the new system can handle 4,500 to 5,000 daily.

“With this, NIS can now meet daily demands within just four to five hours of operation,” he added, calling it a game-changer for passport processing in Nigeria.

“We promised two-week delivery, and we’re now pushing for one week.

“Automation and optimisation are crucial for keeping this promise to Nigerians,” the minister said.

He noted that the centralised model, which aligns with global standards, would improve uniformity and strengthen the integrity of Nigerian travel documents worldwide.

Tunji-Ojo further described the initiative as a step toward making services more accessible to Nigerians while instilling efficiency and driving total passport system reform.

He added that the centralised system was in line with President Bola Tinubu’s reform agenda, boosting NIS capacity and transforming service delivery.