The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has rolled out an upgraded passport tracking system designed to give applicants real-time updates and ease the stress of prolonged processing delays, a move hailed as a step toward improving travel planning for Nigerians.

The Service, in a statement on its official X account, disclosed the new “PRODUCED” status feature, which informs applicants when their passports are fully issued and ready for either physical collection or courier delivery. This is expected to help reduce uncertainty and unnecessary visits to passport offices nationwide.

Long Delays Fuel Public Frustration

The update comes against the backdrop of persistent delays that have left many Nigerians frustrated. Applicants often reported waiting months after completing biometric registration and payments, complicating travel plans for business, study, and family purposes.

For instance, Chinedu Okafor, a Lagos-based businessman, shared that he had to reschedule international trips twice because his passport status remained “in production” despite completing all requirements three months prior. “The old tracking system gave no clear timeline,” he said. “I would have appreciated a proper alert that my passport was ready.”

The NIS said that the new tracking system directly addresses such concerns, providing clarity between genuine production delays and passports that have been issued but remain uncollected.

Impact on Travel and Planning

Travel agents and visa consultants welcomed the development, noting that clearer tracking will improve coordination for clients needing passports for visa applications. Fatima Bello, a travel consultant in Abuja, explained: “Clients often panic because they don’t know if their passport is ready. With this update, we can better plan appointments and visa submissions, avoiding unnecessary stress.”

Experts also anticipate that the move will indirectly reduce congestion at passport offices and improve overall customer service, as fewer Nigerians are expected to make repeated inquiries in person or by phone.

Digital Solutions in Passport Services

The upgrade is part of broader efforts by the NIS to digitalise passport services, including online applications, appointment scheduling, and tracking. While past initiatives have reduced some backlogs, applicants have continued to face occasional technical glitches and delays.

The new “PRODUCED” status, coupled with existing features such as “printed” and “dispatched”, aims to give applicants a clearer understanding of each step in the passport issuance process.

Stakeholder Reactions and Expectations

Public reaction to the update has been largely positive, with Nigerians expressing hope that the system will enhance transparency and reduce anxiety over travel document readiness. However, stakeholders stress that consistent performance, prompt notifications, and responsive customer support remain essential for full public confidence.

The NIS has pledged continuous monitoring of the tracking system and indicated that further enhancements could follow to ensure applicants have timely access to their travel documents.