Nigeria Immigration Service Denies Blocking Regions from Passport Issuance Amid Ongoing Reforms

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has denied allegations of discriminating against specific regions in passport issuance. A statement released by the NIS spokesperson, Akinsola Akinlabi, clarified that the ongoing reforms aim to modernize the passport administration system across Nigeria and are not intended to exclude any region.

The NIS highlighted that the reform process, initiated in 2024, seeks to enhance efficiency, integration, and security in the passport production system. Specific states like Borno, Yobe, Benue, Kogi, Nasarawa, Niger, and Plateau have successfully transitioned to the centralized passport system, with additional international stations established in Africa, Asia, Europe, and South America.

The current phase focuses on states in the South-East region and international stations in Italy, Greece, Spain, Switzerland, and Austria. The NIS assured Nigerians of equitable service delivery and operational excellence in providing efficient and secure passport services to all citizens.