By Palma Ileye
Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has extended its ongoing Special Passport Intervention Exercise in the United Kingdom to October 3, 2026, following the high turnout of Nigerians seeking passport services.
The Service, in a statement issued on Friday by its Public Relations Officer, DCI Akinsola Akinlabi, said the exercise, which was being conducted at centres in London and Manchester, has progressed smoothly despite initial challenges encountered on the first day.
According to the NIS, 1,477 Nigerians have been successfully processed and enrolled within the first four days of the exercise, while more than half of the enrolled applicants have already had their passports produced and dispatched to their respective addresses.
The Service said the extension, approved under the directive of the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, would run from September 19 to October 3, 2026, to accommodate the increasing demand and ensure that more eligible applicants are attended to.
It urged eligible applicants to book appointments through the official website of the High Commission of Nigeria in the UK and present their completed application form and payment receipt, appointment slip, current passport where applicable, and a self-addressed return envelope at their scheduled appointments.
The NIS reiterated that the passport application and payment processes were fully automated and strictly cashless, stressing that the applicable fees remain $162 for a five-year passport booklet and $242 for a 10-year booklet.
It added that no additional charges were required for participation in the intervention exercise.
The Service said further details on the extended dates, participating locations and appointment procedures would be communicated through the official channels of the NIS and the High Commission of Nigeria in the UK.
It appreciated Nigerians in the UK for their patience and cooperation, assuring that it remained committed to providing efficient, transparent and responsive passport services to Nigerians at home and in the diaspora.
