The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has rejected reports that passport issuance has been suspended in the South East, insisting that citizens in the region continue to have full access to passport services.
In a statement on Saturday, February 7, 2026, the agency described the claims circulating online as misleading and clarified that they stemmed from misunderstandings surrounding a nationwide reform of passport administration.
The NIS is implementing a centralised passport production system to improve efficiency, security, and service delivery.
The reform, which began in 2024, involves migrating state passport offices and Nigerian missions abroad into the centralised framework.
The agency confirmed that passport centres in several states in the North East and North Central zones, as well as 35 international locations, have already been integrated into the new system.
READ ALSO:Â Sowore Detained by Immigration, Passport Seized at Lagos Airport
The South East states; Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo are currently undergoing the migration process, which is expected to be completed by the end of the first quarter of 2026.
The NIS stressed that the reforms are aimed at strengthening the integrity of passport services, not restricting access.
It urged the public to rely on official channels for information and confirmed that all applicants across Nigeria remain eligible for passport services during the transition.
The agency reiterated its commitment to providing secure, efficient, and uninterrupted passport services to all Nigerians as the modernisation process continues.