- Passport printing now centralised in Abuja
- Production capacity jumps to 4,500-5,000 per day
- Delivery promised in one week
The Federal Government has ended passport production at multiple centres, centralising the process for the first time in 62 years.
According to Eko Hot Blog, Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, announced the move during an inspection of the new Centralised Passport Personalisation Centre at the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) headquarters in Abuja.
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The system, which was previously spread across dozens of production points, has now been consolidated into a single, modern facility.
The reform is expected to be a game-changer: the old system could only handle about 250-300 passport prints per day; the new centre can produce between 4,500 and 5,000.
Tunji-Ojo said this improves efficiency, reduces delays, and brings Nigeria’s passport system in line with global standards.
One of the biggest benefits is speed. The Minister said that applicants who have their documents approved can now expect printing within 24 hours, with delivery possible within a week. This contrasts sharply with the previous waiting period which could stretch to two weeks or more.
Tunji-Ojo explained that since the establishment of NIS in 1963, Nigeria had never run a centralized passport production system.
Until now, production and personalization were handled at multiple centres, which he described as vulnerable and inefficient.
The project’s readiness was emphasised. The minister said the centre is 100% operational, ready to deliver on its promise.
He aligned the move with President Bola Tinubu’s reform agenda and noted that centralisation will help strengthen the integrity and global credibility of Nigeria’s travel documents.
For Nigerians applying for passports, the implications are real: fewer delays, less bureaucratic hassle, and a more reliable process.
The hope is that replacing many decentralised centres with one well-equipped hub will cut errors, reduce opportunities for corruption, and streamline operations.
This reform comes amid other passport administration improvements: clearing application backlogs, automating document uploads, and increasing transparency in processing. Observers say the new central centre could mark a turning point in how identity services are delivered in Nigeria.
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