The Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) has officially launched a fully digitalised passport production line, marking a turning point in the country’s immigration history. This reform, championed under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, seeks to eliminate decades of systemic delays and inefficiencies that have frustrated millions of Nigerians at home and abroad.
A History of Challenges
For years, Nigerians have endured chronic shortages of passports and long processing delays. In 2022 alone, over 200,000 applications reportedly piled up in backlogs, leaving many stranded at airports, unable to travel for work, education, or emergencies. Members of the Nigerian diaspora — a community estimated at 17 million people worldwide — frequently complained of waiting months, sometimes up to a year, for passport renewals. This dented Nigeria’s global image and created emotional, financial, and professional burdens for citizens.
The Game-Changing Reform
The newly introduced digitalised production line represents a complete overhaul. Instead of relying on fragmented, manual systems prone to corruption and inefficiency, the NIS can now deliver passports within 24 hours of processing. The innovation combines automated biometric verification with real-time database integration, a system similar to what is in place in countries like India, the United Kingdom, and the United States, where digitisation has cut processing time and enhanced security against forgery.
According to NIS officials, the reform not only increases efficiency but also boosts security and accountability. Every passport issued can now be tracked digitally, reducing opportunities for racketeering and ensuring applicants get their documents on time.
Nigeria in Global Context
Globally, passports are more than travel documents — they are symbols of national credibility and state efficiency. Nations like Singapore and Germany rank among the world’s most efficient passport issuers, with processing times as short as 48 hours, supported by robust digital systems. By moving toward 24-hour service, Nigeria positions itself as a leader in Africa, setting a new benchmark for service delivery in public administration.
Economic and Social Impact
The reform is not just a technological upgrade; it carries wide-ranging economic implications. Nigeria receives over $20 billion annually in remittances from its diaspora — funds that are often delayed when citizens face travel restrictions due to passport issues. By enabling swift processing, the new system indirectly supports foreign exchange inflows, business travel, and tourism.
Socially, it restores confidence among Nigerians who have long viewed the passport office as a symbol of inefficiency and frustration. For students seeking study abroad, professionals on international assignments, and families traveling for medical or personal reasons, the guarantee of a quick turnaround time is transformative.
Looking Ahead
The digital passport production line is part of the Tinubu administration’s broader agenda to modernise public institutions and align Nigeria with global best practices. Analysts note that sustaining the system will require continuous investment in technology, training, and oversight to prevent sabotage or a relapse into old inefficiencies.
Nevertheless, this milestone demonstrates a clear political will: to make the Nigerian passport not just a document of identity, but a reliable symbol of national pride and international mobility.
With this reform, the words “no passport booklet” — once a common excuse in NIS offices — may finally become a relic of Nigeria’s bureaucratic past.
The National Patriots.
REACTIONS TO EL- RUFAI’S ALLEGATION OF TENURE ELONGATION TO TINUBU.
1. “Nigeria Is Not Cameroon” — UN Experts Dismiss El-Rufai’s Allegation
Excerpts:
> “Nigeria’s constitutional framework is strong, and its democratic institutions are among the most resilient in Africa. Comparing it to Cameroon under Paul Biya is misleading.” — UN Democracy & Governance Unit.
The United Nations has reiterated Nigeria’s role as a stabilising force in West Africa, noting that any talk of tenure elongation is unfounded.
2. Tinubu: “I Seek a Legacy, Not Power Without End”
Excerpts:
> “My vision is to build an economy that works, institutions that last, and a Nigeria that stands tall among nations. Power without legacy is vanity.” — President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Tinubu’s statement underscores his reform-driven approach and aligns with his historic role in NADECO, where he fought against military dictatorship.
3. “Nigeria Is the Gold Standard for Democracy in Africa” — ECOWAS Chairperson
Excerpts:
> “Nigeria has consistently upheld term limits and peaceful transfers of power. It remains the gold standard for democracy in our region.” — Current ECOWAS Chair.
ECOWAS officials stressed that Nigeria’s democratic structures make tenure elongation impossible without collapsing the entire regional order.
4. “This Is Political Blackmail, Not Fact” — Dr. Gloria Fraser MFR
Excerpts:
> “El-Rufai’s remark is reckless. It is a desperate attempt to blackmail voters and damage Nigeria’s image abroad. Nigerians should ignore this narrative.” — Dr. Gloria Fraser MFR, National Patriots.
Fraser’s comment highlights the dangers of weaponising misinformation in a fragile political environment.
5. Obama Once Said: “Africa Doesn’t Need Strongmen, It Needs Strong Institutions”
Excerpts:
Former US President Barack Obama’s 2009 Ghana speech is relevant today:
> “History offers a clear lesson: governments that respect the will of their people and build strong institutions are more successful and more stable.”
Nigeria exemplifies this, with its two-term presidential limit now deeply embedded in law and culture.
6. “Comparing Tinubu to Biya Is Ignorance of Federalism” — Nigerian Legal Scholars
Excerpts:
> “Cameroon is a unitary state. Nigeria is a federal republic with 36 semi-autonomous states, a bicameral legislature, and an independent judiciary. The comparison is fundamentally flawed.” — Prof. Akin Oyebode, Constitutional Law Expert.
Legal experts emphasise the structural safeguards against any form of tenure elongation in Nigeria.
7. African Union: “Zero Tolerance for Unconstitutional Power Grabs”
Excerpts:
> “The AU’s Charter on Democracy is clear: no leader in Africa will be allowed to extend tenure unconstitutionally without facing suspension and sanctions.” — African Union Commission.
The AU has sanctioned Mali, Guinea, and Niger for constitutional breaches. Nigeria, as a founding member, cannot afford to risk such penalties.
8. “El-Rufai Has Turned Politics Into Bitterness” — Civil Society Groups
Excerpts:
> “This is not about democracy, it’s about personal vendetta. Nigerians should not allow bitterness to poison public discourse.” — Coalition of Civil Society Organisations.
Groups noted that El-Rufai’s remarks should be read as a campaign of calumny, not a credible reflection of Tinubu’s intentions.
The National Patriots ©️
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