By News Maker in Abuja
The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has extended its ongoing Special Passport Intervention Exercise in the United Kingdom following a massive turnout by Nigerians seeking to obtain or renew their international passports.
The Service said the exercise, being conducted at centres in London and Manchester, is progressing smoothly despite some initial challenges experienced on the first day of its commencement.
In a statement issued on Friday by the Service Public Relations Officer, DCI Akinsola Akinlabi, the NIS urged Nigerians resident in the United Kingdom to comply with the appointment and documentation requirements to ensure an orderly and transparent process.
According to the Service, eligible applicants must book appointments for the intervention exercise through the official website of the High Commission of Nigeria in the United Kingdom before appearing at the designated centres.
Applicants are required to attend their scheduled appointments with a completed application form and payment receipt, appointment slip for the intervention exercise, current passport where applicable, and a self-addressed return envelope.
The NIS also reiterated that the entire passport application and payment process remains fully automated and strictly cashless, warning applicants that no additional charges are required to participate in the special intervention exercise.
It said the applicable fees remain $162 for a five-year validity passport booklet and $242 for a 10-year validity booklet, with applicants advised to be wary of anyone demanding extra payments.
Giving an update on the performance of the exercise, the Immigration Service disclosed that 1,477 Nigerians had been successfully processed and enrolled within the first four days of the intervention.
The Service added that more than half of those enrolled had already had their passports produced and dispatched to their respective addresses, reflecting efforts to speed up delivery and reduce the backlog confronting applicants.
In response to the high turnout and growing demand, the NIS, under the directive of the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has approved an extension of the London and Manchester exercise from September 19 to October 3, 2026.
The Service said the extension would create additional capacity to accommodate more applicants and ensure that as many eligible Nigerians as possible benefit from the intervention.
Further details on the extended dates, participating locations and appointment procedures, it added, would be communicated through the official channels of the Nigeria Immigration Service and the High Commission of Nigeria in the United Kingdom.
The NIS expressed appreciation to Nigerians in the UK for their patience and cooperation, assuring them of its continued commitment to providing efficient, transparent and responsive passport services to Nigerians both at home and in the diaspora.
