The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has debunked an online report alleging that a particular region of the country has been disqualified from obtaining passports, describing the claim as false, misleading, and a misrepresentation of ongoing reforms aimed at modernizing passport administration nationwide.
The Service explained that the changes being implemented are part of a phased onboarding system designed to migrate passport offices including foreign missions to a centralized production framework.
According to the NIS, the initiative, which commenced in 2024, seeks to improve efficiency, strengthen system integrity, and enhance the security of Nigeria’s passport production process, not to exclude any group of citizens.
The Service noted that passport offices in the North East and North Central states, including Borno, Yobe, Benue, Kogi, Nasarawa, Niger, and Plateau, have already been successfully onboarded.
Additionally, 35 international stations across Africa, Asia, Europe, and South America have been integrated into the new system.
It further disclosed that migration of passport offices in the five South East states Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo alongside five foreign missions in Italy, Greece, Spain, Switzerland, and Austria, is currently underway and scheduled for completion within the first quarter of 2026.
To ensure a smooth transition, the Service said it has put in place a strict work-plan calendar aimed at preventing disruptions to passport processing and delivery timelines while driving greater operational efficiency.
The NIS urged members of the public to disregard speculative reports capable of causing unnecessary tension, reaffirming its commitment to equitable service delivery and improved operational standards in the national interest.