ABUJA, Nigeria (NPA) — The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has clarified that the migration of additional passport offices to the Central Personalisation Centre (CPC) is an administrative measure aimed at improving passport production and security, and does not amount to a suspension of passport services.
The clarification followed concerns raised by former presidential aide, Bashir Ahmad, who urged the Service to reconsider the decision, particularly as it affects Kano State.
In a post on X, Ahmad argued that Kano, being Nigeria’s most populous state and the commercial hub of Northern Nigeria, deserves immigration services that reflect its strategic importance.
“I want to add my voice to the call on the Nigeria Immigration Service to review this decision. Kano is Nigeria’s most populous state and serves as the commercial and economic hub of Northern Nigeria. Given our strategic importance, the state deserves adequate immigration services that reflect its population size and significance,” he said.
Responding in a statement on Tuesday, the Nigeria Immigration Service dismissed suggestions that passport services had been suspended, explaining that the migration to the Central Personalisation Centre is a strategic administrative enhancement designed to improve service delivery.
The Service said applicants can continue to visit their designated passport offices nationwide to complete biometric data capture without disruption.
“Applicants can still visit their local centres to complete biometric data capture seamlessly. This centralised production framework is designed to align with global security standards, streamline processing timelines, and significantly safeguard the integrity of the Nigerian passport,” the statement said.
According to the NIS, the new arrangement centralises the production of passport booklets while maintaining normal operations at passport enrolment centres across the country.
The Service assured Nigerians that all passport capturing centres remain fully operational and that completed passport booklets will continue to be processed centrally before being returned to the respective state commands within the standard delivery period.
The Immigration Service reiterated its commitment to improving passport administration through enhanced security, efficiency and globally accepted best practices while ensuring that citizens continue to receive uninterrupted passport services.