The Nigeria Immigration Service, NIS, has dismissed online claims suggesting that a specific region of the country has been disqualified from obtaining passports.
According to a statement issued on Saturday, the agency described the reports as “entirely false and a gross misrepresentation” of ongoing efforts to modernize passport services.
NIS explained that it has introduced a phased onboarding system to migrate passport offices, including those in foreign missions, to a centralized production framework.
The initiative, which began in 2024, aims to improve efficiency and service delivery, not to exclude any citizens.
The agency confirmed that passport offices in the North East and North Central states, including Borno, Yobe, Benue, Kogi, Nasarawa, Niger, and Plateau along with 35 international stations across Africa, Asia, Europe, and South America, have already been successfully onboarded.
Migration for the five South East States of Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo, as well as five additional international stations in Italy, Greece, Spain, Switzerland, and Austria, is currently underway in the first quarter of 2026.
A strict work-plan calendar has been established to ensure the transition is seamless and does not affect passport delivery timelines.
NIS reaffirmed its commitment to serving all Nigerians equitably, irrespective of gender, location, or status.
Nigeria Immigration Service debunks reports of regional passport exclusion
Nigeria Immigration Service debunks reports of regional passport exclusion
