By Ada Gloria Ewuzie
The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has assured Nigerians that the ongoing Passport Centralization Reform will not disrupt passport application, processing or issuance, describing the exercise as a strategic operational upgrade aimed at improving service delivery, enhancing document security and strengthening the integrity of the nation’s passport system.
The clarification follows concerns in some quarters that the migration of passport production from zonal passport centres to the newly established Central Personalization Centre at the Service Headquarters in Abuja could lead to delays or suspension of passport services across the country.
However, the Service explained that the reform is purely administrative and is designed to modernize passport production without affecting access to services by applicants.
According to a statement signed by the Service Public Relations Officer, DCI Akinsola Akinlabi, all passport offices nationwide, as well as Nigerian embassies and consulates handling passport services abroad, remain fully operational and will continue to receive applications, conduct biometric enrolment, process requests and issue passports to successful applicants.
The statement emphasized that although the personalization and production of passports have now been centralized at the Service Headquarters in Abuja, applicants will continue to interface with their respective passport offices for all stages of the application process, including the collection of their completed passports.
The NIS noted that the centralization initiative forms part of its broader modernization programme aimed at building a more efficient, transparent and technology-driven passport administration system. It explained that the new arrangement will ensure uniform production standards, improve quality control, enhance the security features of Nigerian passports, eliminate operational inconsistencies and significantly reduce opportunities for fraud and document compromise.
The Service further stated that the migration is being implemented in phases to guarantee a seamless transition while maintaining uninterrupted passport services across all passport centres in Nigeria and at foreign missions.
It urged members of the public to disregard misinformation suggesting that passport issuance has been suspended or that passport offices have ceased operations as a result of the reform, stressing that such reports are false and do not reflect the current operational reality.
The Immigration Service reaffirmed its commitment to delivering faster, more secure and globally compliant passport services in line with international best practices. It also encouraged Nigerians to rely only on official communication channels for accurate information on passport application procedures and other immigration services.
The Service maintained that the Passport Centralization Reform represents another milestone in its ongoing drive to deploy technology and institutional reforms to improve service delivery while safeguarding the credibility and international acceptance of the Nigerian passport.
