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Nigeria Unveils World-Class Centralised Passport Personalisation Centre

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Nigeria Unveils World-Class Centralised Passport Personalisation Centre

By: Michael Mike

The Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo has announced that Nigeria’s first Centralised Passport Personalisation and Production Centre is now completed and fully ready to be deployed to end the challenges facing the nation’s passport issuance process.

Speaking at the tour of facility at the Nigeria immigration Service (NIS) headquarter in Abuja on Thursday, the Minister described the acquisition of the facility as a landmark moment in the ongoing reform aimed at transforming the country’s passport issuance system and eliminate backlogs permanently.

He said the project represents one of the boldest steps by the administration of President Bola Tinubu to modernise the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) and align it with global best practices.

According to him, unlike in the past when passports were personalised across 96 locations in Nigeria and the diaspora, the new centralised model consolidates production into a single hub for efficiency, quality assurance, and uniformity.

He noted that: “Nigeria is now in the league of countries such as the United States, United Kingdom, France, Russia, India, and Bangladesh that run centralised passport personalisation centres,” stressing that: “This is a big win for the government and a major shift towards efficiency and reliability.”

The new facility, built in partnership with IRISMAT Technologies Limited, deploys advanced machines capable of producing up to 1,000 passports per hour—a massive leap from the previous Iskra machines which only produced 250–300 passports per day.

With this capacity, the NIS can now produce between 4,500 and 5,000 passports daily, enabling Nigerians to receive approved passports within 24 hours to one week.

Tunji-Ojo said: “This centre puts an end to the era of backlogs and delays. When this administration came on board, we inherited over 204,000 pending applications. That chapter is now closed. Everything is automated and efficient, ensuring Nigerians get value for their money.”

He highlighted other key reforms achieved under the current administration to include: Migration to a single passport series – eliminating the old dual “A and B” series system to strengthen document integrity; Diaspora coverage – ensuring all missions abroad now issue the enhanced B-series passport; Global authentication compliance, which means Nigeria has been fully integrated into the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO)‘s Public Key Directory (PKD), boosting international acceptance of its travel documents.

He stated that: “These reforms ensure that no two Nigerians carry different passport types, enhance global trust in our documents, and position Nigeria as a serious player in global travel systems.”

The Minister credited the project’s success to strong collaboration between government, the NIS, and IRISMAT Technologies Limited.

He emphasised that the facility was not funded directly from government coffers but through a strategic partnership designed to deliver value.

He also expressed gratitude to President Tinubu, the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, the Comptroller-General of Immigration, and all NIS officers who worked tirelessly to deliver what he called “a career and time-defining project.”

Responding to concerns about how the project will impact citizens, the Minister assured Nigerians that the centralisation will drastically reduce waiting time for new passports and changes of data.

He said: “We promised two weeks, but we are working towards one week. With this centre, Nigerians no longer have to wait endlessly. What matters most is service efficiency, and this project guarantees that.”

He described the project as historic, noting that since the establishment of the Immigration Service in 1963, Nigeria had never built such a facility.

“With this centre, Nigeria now stands shoulder-to-shoulder with advanced nations in the management of travel documents. It is a legacy project that will define the future of our passport system,” he said.

Nigeria Unveils World-Class Centralised Passport Personalisation Centre

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Nigeria Sympathizes with Cuba, Jamaica, Haiti on Devastation of Hurricane Melissa

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Nigeria Sympathizes with Cuba, Jamaica, Haiti on Devastation of Hurricane Melissa

By: Michael Olugbode

Nigeria has sympathized with the governments of Cuba, Haiti and Jamaica over the catastrophic impact of Hurricane Melissa that ravaged the countries.

A statement on Sunday by the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa read: “The Government and people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria have received with profound sorrow and deep sympathy the news of the catastrophic impact of Hurricane Melissa on our sister nations, the Republic of Cuba, Haiti and Jamaica.

“The images and reports emerging from the countries, detailing widespread destruction, severe flooding, and the tragic loss of lives and livelihoods, are truly heart-wrenching. Nigeria stands in solidarity with the governments and the resilient peoples of Cuba, Haiti and Jamaica during this period of immense adversity and destruction.

“We commend the swift and courageous efforts of the national emergency response teams in both countries, who are working tirelessly under extremely challenging conditions to provide relief and save lives.

“In the spirit of South-South cooperation and the enduring bonds of friendship and solidarity that Nigeria shares with the nations of the Caribbean, the Federal Government of Nigeria extends its heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and wishes a full and speedy recovery to the injured.

“The Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria calls upon the international community and our partner organisations to rally in support of Cuba, Haiti and Jamaica, and to provide all necessary assistance to help these nations in their urgent recovery and rebuilding efforts.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the Government and people of the Republic of Cuba, Haiti and Jamaica.”

Nigeria Sympathizes with Cuba, Jamaica, Haiti on Devastation of Hurricane Melissa

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NCYP Urges Tinubu, Northern Governors to Safeguard Inter-Religious Peace After U.S. CPC Designation

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NCYP Urges Tinubu, Northern Governors to Safeguard Inter-Religious Peace After U.S. CPC Designation

By: Michael Mike

The Northern Christian Youth Professionals (NCYP) has urged President Bola Tinubu to ensure that Nigeria’s recent designation by the United States as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) does not degenerate into religious tension or undermine peaceful coexistence between Christians and Muslims, especially in the northern region.

Reacting to the public response that followed the announcement by U.S. President Donald Trump, NCYP called for calm and constructive dialogue, warning that while international engagement is important, neglecting domestic dialogue would be a costly mistake.

The group noted that public reactions on social media already underscore the urgent need for local engagement in order to prevent the situation from escalating into inter-religious misunderstanding or violence.

The group, in a statement signed by its Chairman, Isaac Abrak, said: “We recalled that Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah and NCYP had earlier appealed to the U.S. Government not to list Nigeria as a CPC, warning that such a move could “undermine the delicate interfaith dialogue and reconciliation efforts built over the years.” Unfortunately President Trump has still gone ahead and listed Nigeria, as such we must not allow this fear to turn into reality.

“While we commend President Tinubu for his inclusive approach to governance and his ongoing efforts to address insecurity, the NCYP stresses that more must be done to protect innocent lives—Christian, Muslim, or otherwise—and to strengthen national unity.

“NCYP must also express our concern that many northern governors have remained silent on this matter, as this is ia clarion call to the Northern Governors Forum, led by Governor Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State, to work closely with the President and stakeholders in preserving the budding peace between the two faiths, particularly in flashpoint areas.

“Finally, NCYP reaffirmed its commitment to promoting unity, tolerance, and peace across Nigeria.”

NCYP Urges Tinubu, Northern Governors to Safeguard Inter-Religious Peace After U.S. CPC Designation

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Buni appoints Dr. Bulama as the new program manager for livestock in Yobe

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Buni appoints Dr. Bulama as the new program manager for livestock in Yobe

By: Yahaya Wakili

Governor Mai Mala Buni CON, COMN, of Yobe State, has appointed Dr. Bulama Maina Yaro as the new program manager of the Yobe State pilot livestock development program.

The appointment letter was signed by the Acting Head of Service, Alhaji Abdullahi Shehu, who revealed that the appointment takes immediate effect.

Governor Buni urged the new program manager to bring his wealth of experience, dedication, and professionalism to bear in advancing the objectives of the livestock development program in Yobe State.

According to Governor Buni, the Yobe state government remains committed to the sustainable transformation of the livestock.

He revealed that, in line with its broader agenda for agricultural development and economic diversification.

Buni appoints Dr. Bulama as the new program manager for livestock in Yobe

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