NIS dismisses reports of passport service suspension

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The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has assured Nigerians that passport services remain fully operational across the country, dismissing concerns that the recent migration of additional passport branches to the Central Personalization Centre has disrupted processing.

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In a statement shared on its official X account on Wednesday, the service said the exercise is an administrative measure aimed at strengthening passport production and improving the security of Nigeria’s travel documents.

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According to the NIS, the migration should not be interpreted as a suspension of passport services.

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“The Nigeria Immigration Service wants to clarify that the recent migration of additional passport branches to the Central Personalization Centre is a strategic administrative enhancement, rather than a suspension of services,” the statement read.

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The agency assured passport applicants that enrolment and biometric capture continue uninterrupted at passport centres nationwide.

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“Applicants can still visit their local centers to complete biometric data capture seamlessly,” it stated.

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The NIS explained that centralising passport production is intended to align Nigeria’s passport issuance process with international best practices while enhancing efficiency and document security.

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“This centralized production framework is designed to align with global security standards, streamline processing timelines, and significantly safeguard the integrity of the Nigerian passport,” the service said.

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It further reassured Nigerians that passport booklets would continue to be produced and delivered to passport offices within the normal timeframe.

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“Citizens can be rest assured that capturing centers remain fully operational, with physical booklets processed efficiently and returned to local commands within standard delivery windows,” the statement added.

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The clarification follows public concerns over the migration of additional passport branches to the Central Personalization Centre, with some applicants expressing fears that the development could affect passport issuance.

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The Immigration Service, however, maintained that the new arrangement is solely intended to improve service delivery, enhance operational efficiency and strengthen the integrity of the Nigerian passport without interrupting access to passport services nationwide.

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