The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has warned passport applicants and members of the public to expect temporary disruptions to its digital passport services as the agency carries out scheduled maintenance on its online platform. The announcement, made on Friday, comes as part of ongoing efforts to improve the performance and user experience of the Passport Digital Platform.
In a notice posted on the NIS’s official social media handle, the service said the maintenance will begin at 12:00 a.m. on December 12, 2025 and continue until 6:00 a.m. on December 14, 2025 (GMT). During this 42‑hour window, users of the online passport system may encounter service interruptions, slow response times, or limited access to selected passport services, such as application submissions, renewals, or appointment bookings.
The NIS, which is responsible for issuing Nigerian passports and regulating travel documentation, explained that the maintenance exercise is routine but necessary to strengthen the system’s infrastructure and enhance overall service delivery. The agency appealed for patience from the public, saying the upgrades are critical to maintaining a secure, efficient, and reliable digital passport ecosystem.
“Our technical teams are working round the clock to ensure full service restoration within the stated timeframe,” the statement, signed by Public Relations Officer ACI A.S. Akinlabi, said. Users requiring assistance during the maintenance period were advised to contact the NIS support team via email or through the agency’s verified social media platforms.
The announcement also referenced recent changes in the Immigration Service’s support infrastructure. After the temporary takedown of some support accounts, the NIS activated backup complaint‑response channels on social media, such as the temporary X handles @InquireAtNaija, @nigimmigration, and @InquireAtNaija_, as well as through Instagram, in order to ensure continuous engagement with applicants experiencing difficulties with passport and visa processes.
The scheduled outage arrives at a time when the NIS has been undergoing a series of digital transformations designed to modernise passport services. Recent reforms have included expanded online application systems, automation of processes, and biometric integrations intended to reduce in‑person procedures and eliminate bureaucratic delays that historically plagued passport issuance in Nigeria. These efforts, encouraged by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji‑Ojo, have been credited with significant improvements in processing efficiency.
Passport applicants have long expressed frustration with backlogs and technical glitches, and while reforms have accelerated service delivery in recent months, sporadic system issues persist. Some users of the contactless passport renewal system have previously reported problems navigating the online platform and completing biometric steps, underscoring the challenges of digital transformation in a context with heavy demand and varying levels of user familiarity with online tools.
Analysts say that while temporary downtimes are often necessary when upgrading complex digital systems, clear communication and robust support structures are crucial to minimising inconvenience for Nigerians who rely on passport services for travel, work, study, and other personal and business needs. With millions of Nigerians living and working abroad as well as a steady flow of international travel, a responsive and stable passport issuance system is vital to national mobility and economic participation.
The NIS’s move to publicise the maintenance ahead of time and offer alternative support channels reflects a broader push by the agency to build confidence in its digital platforms and reduce the need for applicants to resort to informal agents — a practice the service has recently advised against due to the automation and transparency of the system.
Despite the planned disruption, the agency assured applicants that the downtime is temporary and necessary for long‑term improvements. The NIS urged applicants to plan their passport transactions accordingly and to reach out for assistance if they encounter issues during the maintenance window.
As the maintenance period gets underway, travellers and other users are encouraged to monitor official announcements from the NIS for updates on service restoration timelines and additional guidance on handling passport applications and inquiries during the temporary outage.
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