The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has denied reports that it has suspended passport services in Kano.

The agency explained that its decision to move passport production from some centres to the Central Personalization Centre does not mean passport services have stopped.

The clarification came on Wednesday after concerns were raised that the planned migration of passport production could affect passport processing in Kano and other states.
Some Nigerians, including former presidential aide Bashir Ahmad and social media commentator Ahmad Loriman, had criticised the move and urged the NIS to review the decision.
Responding to the concerns, the NIS said the migration is only an administrative change aimed at improving passport production.

The agency said applicants can still visit their local passport offices to complete their biometric capture and other enrolment processes without any interruption.

According to the Service, passport capture centres remain fully operational, while passport booklets will now be produced at the Central Personalization Centre before being sent back to the affected passport offices within the normal processing period.

The controversy followed an internal circular dated August 3, 2026, which approved the transfer of passport production from 10 passport centres to the Central Personalization Centre. The new arrangement is expected to begin on August 10, 2026.

The affected centres are Farm Centre Kano, Dawakin Kudu Kano, Jalingo, Gombe, Yola, Bauchi, Port Harcourt, Uyo, Calabar and Yenagoa.

Under the new system, passport booklets for these centres will be produced centrally before they are delivered to the various passport offices for collection by applicants.

Critics argued that removing passport production from Kano could create unnecessary hardship for residents and businesses.

Bashir Ahmad said Kano deserves stronger immigration services because it is Nigeria’s most populous state and the commercial hub of Northern Nigeria.
Ahmad Loriman also criticised the decision, describing Kano as a major commercial centre and calling on lawmakers from the state to intervene.

Despite the criticism, the NIS insisted that the restructuring only affects passport production and not passport enrolment or biometric capture.

It assured Nigerians that passport offices in the affected states will continue to provide their normal services.
The agency said the latest change is part of its ongoing efforts to modernise and digitise Nigeria’s passport system.

It recalled that in February 2025 it introduced a contactless passport application system, allowing eligible Nigerians to apply, submit biometric information and make payments online with minimal physical contact.

The NIS also moved applications for the Combined Expatriate Residence Permit and Aliens Card (CERPAC) fully online from August 2025 as part of the Federal Government’s immigration reform programme.

According to the Service, centralising passport production is expected to improve security, increase efficiency and protect the integrity of the Nigerian passport.