NIS Extends UK Passport Intervention Exercise Says 1,477 Processed So far

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has extended its ongoing Special Passport Intervention Exercise in the United Kingdom by two weeks following a high turnout of Nigerians seeking passport services.

The exercise, being conducted at centres in London and Manchester, was initially scheduled to end on September 19 but has now been extended to October 3, 2026.

In a statement on Friday, September 11, the NIS Service Public Relations Officer, DCI Akinsola Akinlabi, said the intervention exercise was progressing smoothly at the two centres despite challenges recorded on the first day.

The Service said 1,477 Nigerians had been successfully processed and enrolled within the first four days of the exercise, adding that more than half of those enrolled had already had their passports produced and dispatched to their respective addresses.

“In response to the high turnout and interest shown, the Nigeria Immigration Service under the directive of the Honourable Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo has approved an extension of the exercise in London and Manchester from 19th September to 3rd October, 2026,” the statement said.

According to the NIS, the extension is intended to increase capacity and enable more eligible applicants to access the intervention exercise.

The Service said applicants must book appointments through the website of the High Commission of Nigeria in the UK and present a completed application form and payment receipt, appointment slip, current passport where applicable, and a self-addressed return envelope.

It reiterated that the application and payment processes are fully automated and strictly cashless.

The NIS said the applicable fees remain $162 for a five-year validity passport booklet and $242 for a 10-year validity booklet, stressing that applicants are not required to pay any additional charges to participate in the intervention exercise.

“The Nigeria Immigration Service wishes to update the general public, particularly Nigerians residing in the United Kingdom, that the Special Passport Intervention Exercise is progressing smoothly at the London and Manchester centers despite the initial challenges experienced on the first day of the commencement,” the statement said.

The Service said 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 United Kingdom.