The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has unveiled an upgraded passport tracking feature to tackle delays in passport issuance and collection.
The announcement, shared on X on Thursday, comes amid growing public frustration over uncollected passports and prolonged processing timelines.
The updated tracker introduces a new status—“PRODUCED (PASSPORT PRODUCED, READY FOR COLLECTION)”—to help applicants clearly identify when their passports are ready for pickup or courier delivery. The move aims to reduce confusion and provide better visibility on the processing stages.
“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 Service stated.
The update follows widespread criticism from Nigerians, including investigative journalist Fisayo Soyombo, who highlighted his six-month wait for a passport renewal despite completing payment and biometric capture in July 2025. NIS confirmed Soyombo’s passport had already been produced and was ready for delivery.
The Service noted that delays can sometimes result from incomplete applications or technical issues on the platform.
Last year, NIS also implemented a significant increase in passport fees to improve efficiency and document quality. A 32-page passport with five-year validity now costs ₦100,000, while a 64-page passport with 10-year validity is priced at ₦200,000—up 100% from the previous ₦100,000. The adjustments mark the second price hike within 12 months.