Nigeria Ends Decentralised Passport Production After 62 Years: What It Means for You

Confidence NwaobiSeptember 25, 20250772 views

Nigeria has made a landmark reform in its passport production system. As of September 2025, the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has officially shut down its decentralised passport personalisation centres and started centralised production at a new high-capacity facility in Abuja.

With capacity now at 4,500–5,000 passports per day, this change promises faster processing, more consistency, reduced backlogs, and improved global credibility for Nigerian passports.

Below is a comprehensive overview of what this means for Nigerians, including the challenges and what to expect.

Background: The Old System

Since its establishment in 1963, the Nigeria Immigration Service has operated passport production in multiple personalisation centres, domestically and abroad.
Under the old system, the production machines managed roughly 250-300 passports per day per centre, which led to delays, backlogs, and varying quality.
Applications piled up; when the current administration took over, there were about 204,000 pending or backlogged applications.

What Has Changed

1. Centralisation of Personalisation

The NIS has built and deployed a Centralised Passport Personalisation Centre at its headquarters in Abuja. This is the first fully centralised passport production hub in Nigeria.
Decentralised centres (about 96 of them, including abroad) have been decommissioned.

2. Massive Increase in Capacity

Old machines could only produce 250–300 passports per day; the new system can now produce between 4,500 and 5,000 every day.
In particular, capacity per hour has also increased dramatically to approximately 1,000 passports per hour under optimum conditions.

3. Faster Processing Time

Nigeria can now meet most daily passport demand within 4–5 hours of operation at the personalisation centre.
For approved applications, passports can be printed within 24 hours, with full delivery nationwide within one week.

4. Quality, Uniformity & Security Enhancements

Centralisation enables better uniformity in production and enhances the integrity/security of travel documents.
Nigeria has fully migrated to the ICAO Public Key Directory (PKD), which means its passports are globally verifiable and aligned with international norms.

Why This Matters: Benefits for Nigerians

Faster Passport Issuance

One of the biggest frustrations for many applicants has been long waiting times. With centralisation and higher throughput, delays are expected to reduce significantly. A target of one-week delivery is being pushed.

More Predictability & Transparency

Applicants will likely have clearer expectations when they apply, with less variability based on which regional centre handled their application. Centralisation tends to reduce inconsistencies. The automation component reduces human errors and eliminates the need for manual intervention.

Enhanced Global Credibility

Passports produced under a standardised, secure setup with ICAO PKD compliance are more trusted globally. This helps Nigerians when travelling, applying for visas, etc.

Reduced Backlogs

The backlog of approximately 204,000 applications will be easier to manage with higher capacity.

Possible Challenges & Considerations

While this reform is very positive, there are some issues Nigeria will need to address to ensure it delivers the promised benefits in practice:

1. Logistics & Distribution

Even though central personalisation is now handled in Abuja, getting the passport booklets from Abuja to remote or rural areas, or to Nigerian missions abroad, still requires efficient logistics. Delays can be passed along to the distribution chain if not managed effectively.

2. Application Approval Bottlenecks

Printing fast is valid only if the application review and approval process (including biometrics, documentation, etc.) keeps pace. If this part is slow, it may still cause delays.

3. Cost

There have been reports of the passport fees having increased. While the post-reform system offers better service, citizens may still feel that the cost increases.

4. System Reliability

High levels of automation and new machines mean maintenance, spare parts, and system uptime become critical. Downtime or machine faults could hamper output.

5. Demand surges & pressure points

There may be days or periods of unusually high demand (e.g., student travel, holiday seasons, etc.). The system must be robust to handle peaks, not just average daily demand.

What You Need To Know If You’re Applying

Apply via official channels only (e.g., the NIS website, the designated front office) to avoid scams.
Once your application is approved, printing should occur quickly: many will have their passports printed within 24 hours under the new system, although full delivery may take up to a week.
Be sure your documentation (breeder documents, birth certificate, passports, etc.) is up-to-date to avoid rejections or delays.
Be aware of updated fee schedules. If your passport type has changed or fees have been adjusted, please check the current rates.

Larger Implications

Government Reform Agenda & Service Delivery: This fits into President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s broader agenda of improving efficiency, reducing waste, and enhancing public trust in institutions.
International comparisons: Nigeria now joins countries with centralised, secure passport personalisation systems. This is important for bilateral visa arrangements, global travel, and international recognition.
Technology & Automation: The reforms demonstrate Nigeria’s growing adoption of technology in public services. Automation of personalisation and the use of technical partners (e.g., Iris Smart Technologies) are key.

ALSO READ:

FAQs About Nigerian Decentralised Passport Production

Q: Who made the announcement, and when?

A: The reform was announced by Minister of Interior Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo on Thursday, September 18, 2025, during an inspection of the new Centralised Passport Personalisation Centre at the NIS Headquarters in Abuja.

Q: How many passports can Nigeria now produce daily?

A: The new centre can personalise 4,500 to 5,000 passports every day, with some machines capable of nearly 1,000 per hour under the whole operation.

Q: How fast can I get my passport after applying?

A: Once your application is approved, the NIS aims to print it within 24 hours and deliver it to your collection point within about one week.

Q: Does this mean I still apply at my local passport office?

A: Yes. Applications are still submitted at NIS offices or Nigerian embassies abroad. But instead of being printed locally, all passports are now produced at the Abuja Centre before being shipped back for pickup.

Q: Are passport fees changing?

A: As of the September 18 announcement, no official fee increase has been tied directly to the new system. Applicants are advised to visit the NIS website for the most up-to-date fee schedule.

Q: Will the new system reduce backlogs for Nigerians abroad?

A: Yes. Centralisation enables faster production and easier clearance of existing backlogs, although logistics and shipping times to embassies may still impact final deliveries.