The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has dismissed reports claiming that a specific region of the country has been barred from obtaining passports.
The agency clarified on February 7, 2026, that no part of the federation is excluded from its services despite ongoing administrative changes.
According to the NIS Public Relations Officer, A.S. Akinlabi, the rumors resulted from a misunderstanding of current modernization efforts. The service is presently transitioning to a centralized production framework aimed at enhancing security and efficiency across the federation.
This initiative involves a phased onboarding system for passport offices within Nigeria and several foreign missions. The migration process, which originally began in 2024, is designed to strengthen the overall integrity of the document issuance system.
Several states in the North-East and North-Central regions have already completed the transition successfully. Additionally, 35 international stations across four continents are now part of the centralized system while migration for the South-East remains ongoing.
The clarification follows reports of public anxiety in the South-East over the alleged closure of the Enugu production center. Critics had suggested that applications from the five eastern states would be redirected to Abuja or Lagos for processing.
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A.S. Akinlabi stated that the report is a gross misrepresentation of government reforms intended to modernize administration. He added: “The service has established a strict work-plan calendar to ensure this transition is seamless and does not disrupt delivery timelines.”
These changes coincide with other digital initiatives like the Single Travel Emergency Passport (STEP) system launched in early 2026. This platform allows Nigerians abroad to generate travel documents digitally without the need to visit physical embassies.
The federal government maintains that these administrative shifts are necessary for balancing national infrastructure and service delivery. Centralizing production is expected to reduce the logistical strain on regional centers while maintaining the principles of federal character.
The NIS remains committed to its mandate of providing inclusive immigration services to all citizens regardless of their location. Such regulatory reforms are essential for aligning Nigeria’s identity management with international best practices and enhancing national security.
