The Nigeria Immigration Service has announced an update to its passport tracking system aimed at improving service delivery and ensuring applicants are better informed about the status of their passports.

The Service disclosed this in a statement shared on its verified X handle on Thursday, explaining that the upgrade became necessary after it was discovered that “hundreds of passports produced had remained uncollected,” a development that has repeatedly triggered complaints from applicants across the country.

To tackle the issue, the Nigeria Immigration Service introduced a new status in its tracking system labelled “PRODUCED (PASSPORT PRODUCED, READY FOR COLLECTION),” which clearly informs applicants when their passports are available for pickup.

“The new addition includes a feature informing applicants when their passports are ready for collection,” the Service stated.

According to the agency, the updated tracking system is designed to enhance transparency and keep applicants properly informed throughout the passport application process, whether their documents are awaiting physical collection or pending courier delivery.

“This update enhances the existing tracking system, and helps applicants stay informed about timelines for passports produced and awaiting collection (for physical collection) or produced but not delivered (for courier delivery),” the statement added.

The Nigeria Immigration Service also outlined the existing stages of the e-passport application process, which include payment confirmation and vetting, transmission of the application to the passport office workstation, confirmation of receipt by the passport office, readiness for enrolment at the selected office, successful NIN verification, and placement in the production queue while passport production is ongoing.

In addition to these stages, the Service introduced two new tracking statuses, namely “Produced – Passport produced, ready for collection,” and “Passport Issued – Passport issued/collected.”

Reaffirming its commitment to improved service delivery, the Nigeria Immigration Service said it remains focused on operational efficiency and aligning its processes with international standards.

“The Nigeria Immigration Service remains committed to delivering an efficient system that works for all in line with global best practices,” the Service added.

The announcement followed a public call-out by investigative journalist Fisayo Soyombo on January 14, 2026, over delays in the processing of his passport renewal.

In an earlier post shared on social media, Soyombo recalled that in January 2024, he had warned that Interior Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo would not be able to fix Nigeria’s deeply corrupt passport system, a view that attracted criticism at the time but which he said now feels vindicated after waiting six months for a passport renewal.

Soyombo explained that despite paying ₦109,700 on July 31, 2025, through the Nigeria Immigration Service portal and completing documentation at a Lagos office, the process was characterised by mockery from officials, prolonged “network problems,” and repeated visits, with his application remaining stuck at “passport pending production.”

He noted that the experience stood in sharp contrast to Tunji-Ojo’s widely publicised promise that passports would be issued within one week, reinforcing his belief that the minister’s reputation is built more on media-friendly promises and public relations than tangible results, and serving as a caution against judging public officials or institutions solely by glowing media reports.

Responding to the allegations, the Nigeria Immigration Service clarified that Fisayo Soyombo’s delayed passport had already been produced and was ready for delivery.

The Service stated that while most applicants receive their passports within two to three weeks, occasional delays may arise due to incomplete applications, security checks, or technical issues.

It also revealed that over 1.3 million passports were issued in 2025 alone, noting that Nigeria’s passport has improved in global rankings during the period.

According to the agency, a single case of delay does not reflect the overall success of ongoing reforms, adding that the introduction of the new “passport produced” tracker feature was part of efforts to keep applicants better informed.

In a follow-up post, Soyombo responded to the Service’s explanation, stating, “I acknowledge the Nigeria Immigration Service’s statement on the delay of my passport renewal and welcome the planned “passport produced” tracker feature, though I intend to verify its implementation. However, their claim that a single delay doesn’t reflect overall reform ignores widespread frustrations shared by many Nigerians, not just my case. While my passport was finally delivered after NIS contact, the broader issues with the online application system remain unresolved and affect countless applicants.”

Before the latest update, applicants could only track limited stages such as payment, application receipt, enrolment, NIN verification, and production, a system that had reduced the need for repeated visits to immigration offices but left applicants uncertain once production was completed.

The Nigeria Immigration Service reiterated its commitment to maintaining an efficient, globally competitive passport system and urged applicants to rely on the enhanced tracking platform for real-time updates on their passport status.