By Omoyeni Ojeifo
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) Northern Caucus has dismissed claims that the Passport Centralization Programme targets Northern Nigeria, assuring applicants that Nigeria Immigration Service reforms will not disrupt passport processing anywhere in the country.
At a news conference in Abuja on Thursday, National Vice President (External Affairs) Comrade Amb. Sadiq SK Zango addressed public concerns and rising rumors across the North-East and North-West, clarifying that the initiatives are not meant to marginalize the region.
“It is far from the truth to suggest that the Federal Government is trying to disenfranchise the North, or any part of the country, through the passport centralization process,” Persecondnews correspondent at the briefing quotes Zango as saying.
He explained that the reform only centralizes passport booklet printing and security personalization, while applications, enrolment and passport collection remain available at passport offices nationwide and designated Nigerian missions abroad.
“The migration is purely operational. It does not stop passport processing or issuance at any passport office in Nigeria or at our embassies and consulates abroad,” he said.
Zango explained that the changes are part of a wider modernization programme aimed at improving the security, integrity and efficiency of Nigeria’s passport system through technology-driven service delivery.
“There is no cause for alarm. Nigerians should expect a more secure, efficient and globally respected passport as these reforms improve service delivery for everyone,” he said.
He added that the Nigeria Immigration Service adopted a phased implementation strategy to reduce operational risks, avoid service disruption and ensure the new system can accommodate growing demand.
“The migration programme began in February 2025 and has continued through 2026 under a five-phase implementation plan covering passport offices within Nigeria and Nigerian embassies and consulates abroad”.
According to him, Phases One to Three covered passport offices in the North-Central, South-East and South-West geopolitical zones, excluding Lagos passport offices.
He added that Lagos passport offices are scheduled for migration during Phase Six later this year, while 41 Nigerian missions across Africa, the Americas, Asia, the Middle East, Europe and Oceania have already joined the centralized platform.
Zango revelead that the Phase Four, scheduled for August 2026, will onboard the remaining passport offices in the South-South, North-East and North-West.
“The affected offices are Calabar, Port Harcourt, Uyo, Yenagoa, Bauchi, Gombe, Jalingo, Yola, Farm Centre Kano and Dawakin Kudu Kano”.
He said passport booklet printing and security personalization have been consolidated at a secure, high-capacity production centre in Abuja to improve efficiency without altering existing application and issuance procedures.
Persecondnews correspondent also reports that the NANS leader explained that the new framework is expected to deliver passports within two weeks while eliminating manual intervention, reducing document arbitrage, strengthening accountability and guaranteeing uniform quality with enhanced security features.
He pointed out that the reforms reflect the Nigeria Immigration Service’s commitment to deploying technology-driven solutions that improve service delivery while protecting the integrity of Nigeria’s passport system in line with global standards.