NIS Clarifies Passport Centralization Reform Details

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) announced that its Passport Centralization Reform, which involves migrating passport production to a central hub in Abuja, will not disrupt processing or issuance at any passport office in Nigeria or abroad. DCI Akinsola Akinlabi, the Service Public Relations Officer, stated that this operational change is part of a modernization program to improve the security, integrity, and efficiency of Nigeria's passport issuance system.

The NIS has implemented a five-phase migration plan, with Phase 1 completed in January 2025, covering 7 local offices and 30 foreign missions. Subsequent phases are scheduled to onboard additional local offices and foreign missions through 2026.

The reform consolidates passport booklet printing and security personalization in Abuja, ensuring passports are produced and dispatched within two weeks. The NIS emphasized that the reform enhances accountability and quality while urging applicants to continue using their preferred passport offices.