A viral claim suggests that the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has disqualified South East states from printing international passports. This news has caused significant concern across social media platforms like TikTok. However, the reality of the situation is quite different from these trending headlines. The Ministry of Interior is currently undergoing a massive national reform of the passport system.
The core of this change is the launch of the Centralised Passport Personalisation Centre in Abuja. This new facility, commissioned on September 18, 2025, unifies passport production in one hub. It ends 62 years of decentralized operations that often led to delays and corruption.
Understanding the New Centralized System
The centralization of passport printing is not a ban on any specific region. Instead, it is a nationwide policy affecting all states, not just the South East. Here is why this change was made:
- Increased Capacity: The new hub can produce up to 5,000 passports daily.
- Faster Delivery: Approved passports can now be ready for collection within 24 hours.
- Global Standards: The system aligns Nigeria with best practices used in the UK and USA.
- Eliminating Backlogs: The ministry successfully cleared a backlog of over 200,000 applications.
What Happens at State Command Offices?
While the actual printing is now centralized, passport offices in the South East remain fully operational. Citizens still go to their local NIS offices for data capturing and biometric enrollment. The government has even deployed Document Verification Officers (DVOs) to all local government areas to assist applicants.
You can read more about these updates at Nigeria News. Furthermore, the government has installed e-gates at Enugu International Airport to streamline travel for the region.
Fact-Checking the Rumors
Claims of regional "disqualification" are a misunderstanding of how the centralized hub works. The policy aims to ensure every Nigerian gets their passport within one week, regardless of their location. For more verified reports, visit NaijaRave News.
We will keep you updated on any further changes to the passport application process.
