Nigeria Immigration Service Unveils Centralised Passport System with 5,000 Daily Capacity

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has launched a centralised passport personalisation system capable of producing up to 5,000 passports daily, a major leap from the previous 250–300 output spread across multiple centres.

The development was announced on Thursday by the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, during an inspection of the newly commissioned Centralised Passport Personalisation Centre at NIS headquarters in Abuja.

“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 Processing and Reduced Delays

According to the Minister, the facility can now meet daily passport demands within four to five hours of operation, eliminating backlogs that have plagued the system for years.

• The centre, built in partnership with IRISMAT Technologies Limited, deploys advanced machines capable of producing up to 1,000 passports per hour.
• The reform is expected to cut down delivery timelines significantly, with a new target of one-week processing instead of the current two-week promise.
• Tunji-Ojo noted that when the administration took office, it inherited over 204,000 pending applications, but with automation and centralisation, “that chapter is now closed.”

He added that the reform aligns Nigeria with global passport production standards, strengthening the uniformity and integrity of its travel documents worldwide.

Reform Agenda and Public Confidence

The Minister linked the initiative to President Bola Tinubu’s reform agenda, which seeks to modernise public institutions and restore public trust in service delivery.

“This is more than just about documents; it’s about restoring trust and showing Nigerians that their government can deliver effectively,” he said.

Higher Costs for Applicants

However, the drive for efficiency comes at an additional financial cost to Nigerians.

• The NIS recently increased passport fees by 100%, with a 32-page passport (5-year validity) now costing ?100,000, up from ?50,000.
• A 64-page passport (10-year validity) will now cost ?200,000, double the previous ?100,000 fee.
• The new rates took effect from September 1, 2025.

What This Means

The centralisation reform promises faster, more reliable, and globally compliant passport services, but Nigerians will now pay significantly more for the document. While efficiency may improve, the affordability of international travel documents is set to become a bigger concern for many citizens.