The Nigeria Immigration Service has extended its ongoing passport intervention exercise in the United Kingdom by two weeks to allow more Nigerians to benefit from the programme.
The exercise, which was initially scheduled to end on September 19, will now run until October 3, 2026.
NIS Public Relations Officer, Akinsola Akinlabi, announced the extension in a statement on Friday, saying it followed a directive from the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.
According to Akinlabi, the decision was prompted by “the high turnout and interest shown” by Nigerians seeking passport services.
The intervention exercise began on September 7 to address outstanding applications involving new passports, renewals and other pending cases.
Akinlabi said 1,477 Nigerians had been processed and enrolled within the first four days of the exercise.
“Over half of those enrolled have already had their passports produced and dispatched to their respective addresses,” the NIS spokesperson said.
He explained that the extension would increase the capacity of the exercise and enable more eligible applicants to access the service.
The development comes after applicants raised concerns on the first day of the intervention over additional administrative charges and delays in processing.
READ ALSO:
- Eagle Online Publisher Oladotun Oladipo Buried In Lagos
- Managing Crisis Communication in the Digital Age By Bodex Hungbo
- NIS Extends UK Passport Intervention Exercise To October 3
- Bandits Abandon Kidnapped Couple After Gun Battle With Troops In Kaduna
- Olaiya Igwe Debunks Illness Rumours, Says Viral Hospital Clip Was Movie Scene
The Nigeria High Commission in London had imposed an extra £70 administrative fee and a £150 charge for lost passports, with applicants protesting the charges as they were not approved by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
However, the NIS said the applicable passport fees remain unchanged.
A five-year passport booklet costs $162, while the 10-year validity booklet costs $242.
“No additional charges are required to participate in the intervention exercise,” Akinlabi added.
He said Nigerians seeking to benefit from the extended intervention must first book an appointment through the High Commission’s website.
Applicants are also expected 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 said additional details about the extended dates, participating locations and appointment arrangements would be made available through its official channels and those of the Nigerian High Commission.