The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has refuted claims that any region in the country is being excluded from passport issuance. The clarification, delivered via a press statement on Saturday, February 7, 2026, by NIS Public Relations Officer, A.S. Akinlabi, seeks to dispel what the Service describes as misunderstandings surrounding its ongoing reforms to modernize passport production and administration across Nigeria.

The denial comes in response to growing public concern and media reports suggesting that passport production activities, particularly in the South-East, were being suspended. These reports had raised fears of restricted access for applicants in the region.

NIS Clarification on Passport Issuance

According to Akinlabi, the reports are misleading and could potentially create unnecessary tension if not properly addressed. The NIS is currently implementing a phased onboarding system to migrate passport offices, including those in foreign missions, to a centralised production framework. This initiative forms part of broader reforms that began in 2024, aimed at enhancing efficiency, security, and integrity in passport administration.

The NIS spokesperson noted that passport offices in several North-East and North-Central states have already been successfully integrated into this system, along with 35 international stations located across Africa, Asia, Europe, and South America. The migration process for South-East states and additional foreign missions is currently underway.

Concerns and Allegations

Concerns over passport access intensified following media reports alleging rising tension across South-Eastern states. These reports claimed that the region’s only international passport production centre, situated at the NIS zonal headquarters in Enugu, might be shut down. Such a move, it was feared, could disrupt the travel plans of numerous applicants.

The reports quoted an anonymous senior NIS staff member alleging that the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, had directed the cessation of passport production activities at the Enugu facility. It was further alleged that applications from South-Eastern states would be rerouted to Abuja or Lagos for processing. These claims subsequently fueled public anxiety and speculation about potential regional exclusion.

Significance of the NIS Response

The NIS clarification is significant because any restrictions on passport issuance along regional lines would raise concerns about equity, access, and inclusive governance. Passport services are a critical federal function impacting citizens’ mobility, employment, education, and emergency travel needs.

The issue also touches on broader questions of federal character and the balanced distribution of national infrastructure, making the NIS response crucial for allaying public concerns.

Government Reforms

The Federal Government has been implementing several digital and administrative reforms within the immigration and identity management sector to enhance service delivery. In November 2025, plans were announced to launch the Single Travel Emergency Passport (STEP) system in January 2025. According to the NIS, these reforms, including the centralised passport production framework, are designed to expand access, improve efficiency, and ensure no Nigerian is excluded from essential immigration services.