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Emigration and immigration

Nigeria's First Centralised Passport Production Centre Launched to Address Issuance Challenges

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The launch of Nigeria's first Centralised Passport Personalisation and Production Centre marks a significant milestone in the country's efforts to transform its passport issuance system and eliminate backlogs. The facility, built in partnership with IRISMAT Technologies Limited, has the capacity to produce up to 1,000 passports per hour, a substantial increase from the previous rate of 250-300 passports per day. With the centre's capabilities, the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) can now produce between 4,500 and 5,000 passports daily, enabling Nigerians to receive approved passports within 24 hours to one week.

Key Takeaways:

  • The new centralised passport production centre is designed to consolidate production into a single hub, ensuring efficiency, quality assurance, and uniformity in passport issuance.
  • The facility is built in partnership with IRISMAT Technologies Limited and features advanced machines that can produce up to 1,000 passports per hour.
  • The centre is expected to produce between 4,500 and 5,000 passports daily, reducing waiting times for new passports and changes of data to one week or less.
  • The Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, announced that the project represents one of the boldest steps by the administration of President Bola Tinubu to modernise the NIS and align it with global best practices.
  • The NIS inherited over 204,000 pending applications when the current administration took office, but this backlog has been cleared with the launch of the new centre.
  • The centre's automation and efficiency ensure that Nigerians receive value for their money and experience a significant reduction in waiting times.
  • Other key reforms achieved under the current administration include the migration to a single passport series, diaspora coverage, and global authentication compliance.

Statistics:

  • 1,000 passports/hour: the production capacity of the new centralised passport production centre
  • 250-300 passports/day: the previous rate of passport production before the launch of the new centre
  • 4,500-5,000 passports/day: the expected daily production of the centre
  • 24 hours to one week: the expected waiting time for new passports and changes of data with the new centre
  • Over 204,000: the number of pending applications inherited by the NIS when the current administration took office
  • 1963: the year of establishment of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS)

Sources:

  • [Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo]
  • Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS)
  • IRISMAT Technologies Limited
  • International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO)
  • The administration of President Bola Tinubu

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