Passport intervention: NIS enrols 2,296 Nigerians in UK - Punch Newspapers

Some applicants at Nigerian High Commission, London. Photo: African Voice Newspaper

The Nigeria Immigration Service has disclosed that 2,296 Nigerians were enrolled in the first week of the service’s Special Passport Intervention Exercise in the United Kingdom. The Service noted that the enrolment figure was achieved across the London and Manchester Centres, according to a statement issued by the Service Public Relations Officer, Akinsola Akinlabi, in Abuja on Tuesday. According to the NIS, the exercise, which commenced on September 7, 2026, has witnessed a sustained turnout and a steady processing of applicants with confirmed appointments across both centres. The statement, titled ‘United Kingdom Special Passport Intervention Exercise: Week One Review,’ read, “The Nigeria Immigration Service Special Passport Intervention Exercise in the United Kingdom has recorded remarkable progress in its first week, with a total of 2,296 applicants successfully enroled across the London and Manchester Centres. “The exercise commenced on 7th September, 2026 and has witnessed sustained turnout and the steady processing of applicants with confirmed appointments across the London and Manchester Centres. “Within the first six operational days, a total of 2,296 applicants were successfully enroled. A breakdown shows 587 applicants processed at the London Centre and 1,709 applicants processed at the Manchester Centre,” with the daily enrolment figures for the week, from September 7-12, 2026. The statement noted that the Service’s Comptroller-General, Kemi Nandap, in an effort to ensure effective oversight and quality Service Delivery, “undertook a working visit to the Special Passport Intervention Centres in Manchester and London.” The visit, it said, was for the NIS boss to assess the exercise, meet with the Nigerian community, and to ensure that the intervention delivers efficient, responsive and seamless passport services to all applicants. According to the statement, the exercise is still in progress at the London and Manchester Centres, as it assured applicants with confirmed intervention appointments of service. Scottish, Welsh, Irish parties declare right to break from UK Passport: UK mission clarifies £70 fee, refunds £50 NIS graduates 1,626 officers, urges border security “Passport production and dispatch for enroled applicants have commenced and are progressing steadily. The Nigeria Immigration Service appreciates the patience, understanding and cooperation of members of the Nigerian community in the United Kingdom throughout the exercise. “The Service further urges all applicants to continue cooperating with officials on the ground to ensure the smooth and efficient delivery of the intervention,” the statement concluded. The PUNCH had reported that the Nigeria High Commission in London, United Kingdom, has clarified that the £70 administrative fee paid by some Nigerians during the ongoing exercise was not approved by the Federal Government, insisting that the standard administrative charge remains £20. The clarification came barely a day after the mission announced that applicants who had paid £70 would receive a £50 refund, leaving the £20 standard administrative fee. “This is to inform all passport intervention applicants who have paid a £70 admin fee that £50 will be refunded to you, £20 being the standard admin fee,” the commission had stated in a notice published on its website. On September 12, 2026, PUNCH Online reported how Nigerians living abroad can renew their passports without physically visiting an embassy or high commission for biometric enrolment, provided they meet the eligibility requirements for the Service’s Contactless Passport Application System. The system allows eligible Nigerians in the diaspora to apply for passport renewal, complete their biometric enrolment and track their applications remotely. The NIS explained how the system works in a video shared on its official X account, urging Nigerians to use only its official channels for passport applications. Olayiwola Ajisafe Ajisafe is a multimedia journalist and digital copy editor with over four years experience

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