Nigeria’s passport production system has recorded a major boost following the launch of a centralized passport personalization centre in Abuja, according to Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.
Speaking at the International Civil Service Conference 2026 in Abuja, the minister said the new facility has transformed passport processing across the country, increasing production capacity from a few hundred passports per hour to about 10,000 passports hourly.
Tunji-Ojo described the Abuja centre as the first world-class centralized passport personalization facility established in Nigeria since 1963. He explained that the reform is part of ongoing efforts to modernize government services, improve efficiency, and reduce delays experienced by Nigerians seeking international passports.
According to him, the ministry inherited over 200,000 pending passport applications in 2023, but the backlog was cleared within weeks through automation and improved coordination.
The minister noted that the new digital system reduces human interference by allowing applicants to interact directly with automated processes, which helps to improve transparency and service delivery.
He further disclosed that more than 3.6 million passports have been produced since the current administration began reforms in the Ministry of Interior.
Tunji-Ojo stressed that public institutions must focus on delivering results rather than excuses, adding that technology-driven governance remains key to improving citizens’ experience in government services.
He said the passport reform demonstrates that Nigeria can build efficient systems capable of meeting global standards when innovation and accountability are prioritized.
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Nigeria passport, passport production, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, Ministry of Interior, Abuja passport centre, Nigeria immigration, passport reforms, digital governance, Nigeria news, public service reform
