Passport delays now frustrate many Nigerians, turning simple travel plans into exhausting waits.
As a result, missing documents and unclear timelines have dominated online conversations in recent weeks.
On January 15, 2026, the Nigeria Immigration Service announced an upgrade to its passport tracker.
Passport Delay Trigger Public Anger
The Service made the announcement after applicants demanded clearer answers.
For many applicants, however, the online tracker offered little reassurance after payment and biometric capture.
In fact, statuses often remained unchanged for months.
NIS Introduces New Tracker Status
As criticism intensified, the NIS reviewed its tracking system and identified a major gap.
Specifically, the Service found hundreds of passports already produced but left uncollected.
To fix this problem, the NIS introduced a new tracker status.
The status reads: “PRODUCED, READY FOR COLLECTION.”
With this update, applicants can see when the Service prints a passport.
They can also confirm whether it awaits pickup or courier delivery.
According to the NIS, the change will reduce confusion and calm public tension.
Allegations Deepen Amid Rising Costs
However, online reactions suggest deeper concerns remain.
On X, users continued to report delays stretching across several months.
Read Also: NIMC, 9 MDAs Plan ₦24 Billion Software Spending In 2026
Meanwhile, some users accused the system of deliberate slowdowns.
Investigative journalist Fisayo Soyombo added momentum to the complaints.
He said he waited more than six months for a passport renewal.
Earlier, Soyombo completed payment and biometric capture in July 2025.
In his post, he criticised Interior Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo over unfulfilled reform promises.
In response, the NIS said it had already produced Soyombo’s passport.
The Service added that technical faults or incomplete applications can cause delays.
Beyond individual cases, bribery allegations also emerged.
Some applicants said officers delayed applications to demand extra payments.
For example, one applicant reported a four-month delay after rejecting express service in Abuja.
Similarly, others accused officers of refusing to update application statuses deliberately.
The NIS did not directly respond to these claims.
Nevertheless, it restated its commitment to transparency and efficiency.
At the same time, rising passport fees have fuelled public anger.
In 2025, the price of a 32-page passport increased to ₦100,000.
Likewise, a 64-page passport with 10-year validity now costs ₦200,000.
The increase followed an earlier hike in August 2024.
Ultimately, many Nigerians now question whether higher costs deliver better service.
