Nigeria Immigration Service Denies Regional Passport Restrictions
The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has formally denied media reports alleging the barring of any region from passport issuance. In a statement released on Saturday, February 7, 2026, by its Public Relations Officer, A.S. Akinlabi, the Service insisted that no part of Nigeria has been excluded from accessing passport services. This clarification aims to address a growing public concern and media speculation, a situation that could be described as a minor reform gazette furore, suggesting that production in areas like the South-East was being halted.
Reforms Misunderstood, Says Immigration Service
The NIS attributed the claims to a misunderstanding of its ongoing nationwide modernization program. Akinlabi explained that the Service is implementing a phased onboarding system to migrate all passport offices, including those in foreign missions, to a centralized production framework. This initiative, part of broader reforms launched in 2024, is designed to enhance efficiency, security, and integrity. The NIS stated that misleading narratives, if left unaddressed, are capable of generating unnecessary tension among citizens.
Detailing the progress, the spokesperson noted that offices in several North-East and North-Central states have already been successfully onboarded, alongside 35 international stations across Africa, Asia, Europe, and South America. The migration process for South-Eastern states and additional foreign missions is currently ongoing, contrary to reports of a shutdown.
Source of the Speculation and Public Concern
The concerns intensified following anonymous allegations from a senior NIS staff member, who claimed the Minister of Interior directed a halt to production at the Enugu zonal headquarters—the region’s only international passport production centre. Reports alleged applications would be redirected to Abuja or Lagos, sparking anxiety about regional exclusion. This episode highlights how administrative changes can stir public debate, much like discussions surrounding events such as Afcon 2025 or operational updates from entities like Air Peace strikes the aviation sector with new routes. The NIS response was crucial to calm these fears, emphasizing that passport access remains a uniformly available critical service for all Nigerians, vital for mobility, education, and employment.
The Federal Government’s digital reforms in identity management continue to roll out, aiming for improved service delivery. The NIS clarification underscores the importance of balanced infrastructure and equitable access, ensuring services are delivered without regional bias, a principle as important in national administration as integrity is in sectors monitored by the EFCC reveals how financial systems are safeguarded.
