Fg Issues Over 3.5 Million Passports In Two Years, Saving ₦1 Billion Annually—Minister

The Federal Government has delivered over 3.5 million passports to Nigerians over the past two years — and in the process, has saved more than ₦1 billion annually through streamlined, digital reforms, according to Interior Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.

Passport Boom: Local and Diaspora

Addressing the media from Abuja, Minister Tunji-Ojo revealed that:

• 3,080,141 passports were issued within Nigeria

• 466,117 passports were issued to Nigerians abroad
  These figures cover the period from August 2023 to date .

In just three weeks, the ministry also cleared a backlog of over 200,000 unprocessed passport applications—debts inherited from prior administrations, he added.

📍 Expanded Access: Passport Front Offices and Centers

To eliminate long queues and bureaucracy, the government has grown its passport infrastructure:

• Passport front offices increased from 13 to 14 locations

• E-passport centers expanded from 26 to 44 across Nigeria

• Overseas locations jumped from just 5 to 47 embassies and consulates

Tunji-Ojo emphasized that “passport scarcity is over”—no more endless lines or frustrating denials.

Digital First, Always

From March 1, 2025, all Special Endorsement and Travel Warranty Passport (SEPC & TWP) applications must be completed online only. Manual processing will soon be history.

Moreover, a new centralized passport production infrastructure is being rolled out:

• A permanent passport production center is expected to be fully operational by May 1, 2025, with all passports printed within Nigeria.

Minister Tunji-Ojo put it plainly: “Biometrics and transparency aren’t optional… We’re no longer in 1925; this is 2025”.

Big Savings – Not Just Words

Through digitization, the ministry slashed costs by removing the need for external contractors. For example, archiving no longer costs ₦200 per applicant, which, multiplied by roughly 3 million passports annually, equates to ₦600 million a year saved.

The minister added that these reforms have resulted in billions in savings over two years—consistent with the ₦1 billion figure cited by the ministry.

Security & Contactless Innovation

Other innovations include:

• A massive 8.3 petabyte data center to securely manage all passport and immigration data 

• Introduction of contactless passport application in pilot states (Canada, Europe since Feb 1; Nigeria by March 1 in Lagos, Abuja, Kano, Rivers)

• Deployment of API/PNR systems and e-gates at international airports to pre-screen travelers 

These systems not only speed up processing but also remove corruption-prone human interaction and synchronize applications with homeland security data.

Home Delivery and Centralized Printing

Applicants can now choose home delivery for passports—a welcome relief from the old system of standing in line. And by May 2025, all passports, whether Nigerian or from abroad, will be printed domestically.

What This Means for You

Here’s a snapshot of the impact:

What Reform Looks Like

With these sweeping reforms, passports are faster, more secure, transparent, and locally managed. Need a booklet? Log onto the portal, choose delivery, show up once for biometrics—or not at all if abroad—and wait for it to arrive at your doorstep.

Minister Tunji-Ojo, quoting himself, said:

“We no longer pay contractors for services Nigerians can now perform themselves. The money remains within government.”

Final Take

Nigeria’s passport system has come a long way—from chronic delays and shortages to a modern, efficient, and more secure setup. With over ₦1 billion in annual savings, tens of thousands of applications processed online, and a commitment to long-term upgrades (like full domestic printing and contactless services), the reforms clearly align with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

For anyone requiring a passport today, the message is clear: the process is faster, more dependable, and more future-ready than ever before.