Nigerian Passports To Be Ready Within Seven Days, Says FG

The Federal Government has announced that Nigerian passports will now be produced and delivered within one week of application, marking a major shift in the country’s travel document processing system.

Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, disclosed this on Wednesday in Abuja during a briefing on the ongoing reforms in the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS). He said the new policy is aimed at eliminating the long delays and bottlenecks that have frustrated passport applicants for years.

According to the minister, the reform is part of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda to simplify government services and strengthen citizens’ trust in institutions. “From the moment an applicant completes their biometric capture, they should expect to receive their passport within seven working days,” Tunji-Ojo said.

He added that the government has invested in new technology and streamlined operations within the NIS to ensure efficiency, transparency, and accountability in passport issuance. The minister also warned against middlemen and touts who exploit applicants, stressing that the new system makes such practices unnecessary.

The Controller General of Immigration, Kemi Nandap, confirmed that training and monitoring mechanisms have been put in place to sustain the new timeline nationwide. She assured that Nigerians in the diaspora will also benefit, as missions abroad have been directed to align with the reforms.

For years, Nigerians have faced long waits sometimes stretching into months to obtain international passports, leading to widespread public outcry. The government’s new commitment, if fully implemented, could bring significant relief to millions of citizens at home and abroad.