NIS Dismisses Passport Services Suspension Rumours, Says Centre Remains Open

The Nigeria Immigration Service, NIS, has assured Nigerians that passport services are continuing without interruption across the country despite the recent migration of additional passport branches to the Central Personalisation Centre.

The Service said the development is part of efforts to improve the efficiency, security and integrity of Nigeria’s passport system and should not be mistaken for a suspension of passport processing.

The clarification was contained in a statement posted on the official X handle of the NIS on Wednesday.

According to the Service, the migration of additional passport branches to the Central Personalisation Centre is an administrative measure introduced to strengthen passport production and enhance security.

It stressed that the exercise is not affecting passport applications or enrolment at any of its centres nationwide.

“The recent migration of additional passport branches to the Central Personalization Centre is a strategic administrative enhancement, rather than a suspension of services,” the NIS said.

The Immigration Service assured passport applicants that they should continue to visit their designated passport offices for biometric data capture as scheduled.

It explained that the enrolment process remains seamless, while passport production is now being handled through a more centralised system that meets international security standards.

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

The agency noted that the new framework is expected to improve the efficiency of passport production while reducing security risks associated with the document.

The NIS further reassured Nigerians that all passport capturing centres across the country remain open and fully operational.

It added that the production of passport booklets is ongoing and that completed passports are being returned to passport offices for collection within the normal delivery period.

“Citizens can 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.

The Service urged members of the public to disregard any reports suggesting that passport services have been suspended, maintaining that all passport-related operations are continuing as normal while the administrative upgrade is being implemented.