Nigerian passport delivery to take just one week, says Interior Minister
Nigerians will soon begin receiving their passports within one week, following the full centralisation of passport production — a first in the 62-year history of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS).
Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, disclosed this on Thursday during an inspection of the new Centralised Passport Personalisation Centre at the NIS Headquarters in Abuja.
“Passport delivery will now take just one week. The project is 100 per cent ready, and Nigeria can now be more productive and efficient in delivering passport services,” the minister said.
He explained that while outdated equipment previously limited the NIS to producing just 250 to 300 passports daily, the new centralised system can now handle between 4,500 and 5,000 passports each day.
“With this, NIS can now meet daily demands within just four to five hours of operation,” he said, describing the reform as a game-changer in the country’s passport issuance process.
Tunji-Ojo also noted that the government’s initial two-week delivery promise is being revised downward.
“We promised two-week delivery, and we’re now pushing for one week. Automation and optimisation are crucial for keeping this promise to Nigerians,” he said.
According to the minister, the centralised production model is in line with global standards and is expected to improve uniformity and enhance the overall integrity of Nigerian travel documents.
