The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has disclosed that its special passport intervention in the United Kingdom(UK) is progressing smoothly despite initial challenges.
The exercise was conducted at centres in London and Manchester, where demand has remained high among Nigerians seeking passport services.
NIS revealed that 1,477 Nigerians were successfully processed and enrolled within the first four days, adding that more than half of those enrolled have already had their passports produced and dispatched to their respective addresses.
The NIS disclosed this in a statement e-signed by the Service Public Relations Officer, Deputy Comptroller of Immigration (DCI), Akinsola Akinlabi,
NIS in the statement said the intervention was designed to provide efficient passport services to Nigerians in the UK while maintaining an orderly and transparent process.
The volume of the response, the NIS said prompted it to extend the special passport intervention in both London and Manchester.
It informed that under the directive of the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, the exercise will now run from 19 September to 3 October 2026.
The extension, according to NIS is intended to create additional capacity as interest continues to rise.
NIS said it will also give more eligible applicants an opportunity to complete their enrolment without unnecessary pressure.
The NIS said the move reflects its response to the strong turnout recorded during the initial phase.
The 1,477 successful enrolments recorded in just four days highlight the volume of demand for Nigerian passport services in the UK.
Importantly, the NIS said that over half of these applicants have already had their passports produced and dispatched.
This, it said means hundreds of Nigerians have already moved beyond enrolment and are receiving their travel documents.
The development also underscores the importance of efficient passport processing for Nigerians living abroad.
For many applicants, timely access to a valid passport is essential for international travel, identification and other official requirements.
The NIS advised applicants must follow the established appointment process to participate in the exercise, adding that eligible Nigerians are required to book appointments through the website of the High Commission of Nigeria in the United Kingdom.
Applicants, the NIS said must also attend their scheduled appointments with the required documents.
These include a completed application form and payment receipt, an appointment slip for in the intervention exercise, and a current passport where applicable.
Applicants are also required to provide a self-addressed return envelope.
The NIS further clarified that the passport application and payment processes remain fully automated and strictly cashless.
The NIS also advised applicants not to make additional payments to participate in the intervention.
The applicable fees, NIS said remain $162 for a five-year validity passport booklet while the fee for a 10-year validity booklet remains $242.
The NIS stressed that no additional charges are required for the special passport intervention.
The clarification became necessary as the NIS continues to push automated passport services as part of its broader efforts to improve transparency.
The NIS official passport guidance states that applications from outside Nigeria require applicants to submit applications online and book appointments with a Nigerian mission for biometric enrolment.
The NIS also advised applicants to use official channels and avoid third-party operators demanding extra payments.
NIS Iofficial platform provides information on passport applications, renewals, appointments and other passport services.
The UK extension therefore gives applicants additional time to complete the required procedures.
The NIS, however, said that prospective applicants are expected to follow the appointment process and present all required documents at their scheduled locations.
Further information on the extended dates, the NIS said participating locations and appointment procedures will be communicated through the official channels of the Nigeria Immigration Service and the High Commission of Nigeria in the United Kingdom.
The NIS thanked Nigerians in the UK for their patience and cooperation during the exercise. It said it remains committed to providing efficient, transparent and responsive passport services to Nigerians at home and in the diaspora.
With 1,477 applicants successfully enrolled in just four days, the extension demonstrates the level of demand generated by the intervention.
More importantly, the dispatch of passports to more than half of those enrolled shows that the exercise is already translating enrolments into completed passport production.
About The Author
