NIS Enrols Over 5,000 Nigerians in UK Passport Drive

The Nigeria Immigration Service has enrolled 5,099 applicants in its ongoing Special Passport Intervention Exercise for Nigerians in the United Kingdom.

The service said an additional 516 applicants were enrolled on Saturday, September 19, bringing the cumulative figure to 5,099 since the intervention began.

According to the NIS, 370 applicants were enrolled at the Manchester centre, while 146 were processed in London during the latest phase.

The intervention is aimed at addressing backlogs involving new passport applications, renewals and pending cases affecting Nigerians resident in the United Kingdom.

The exercise was launched on September 7, 2026, following a directive from the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.

The NIS said the exercise continued without interruption across the two designated centres and that passport production and dispatch for applicants previously enrolled were proceeding smoothly.

The intervention had initially been scheduled to end around the middle of September, but strong demand from Nigerians seeking passport services led to an extension of the operation in London and Manchester.

Applicants participating in the exercise are required to follow designated appointment procedures and provide the necessary documents for processing.

The latest enrollment figures represent continued efforts by immigration authorities to address passport service challenges affecting Nigerians living abroad.

The NIS has been expanding passport intervention exercises in response to backlogs and complaints over delays in obtaining or renewing Nigerian passports.

The special UK exercise provides applicants with an opportunity to complete biometric enrollment and other required processes at designated centres.

The Immigration Service has urged applicants to cooperate with officials throughout the exercise and comply with procedures established for the intervention.

The agency also advised Nigerians to rely on official communication channels for information concerning appointments, documentation requirements, processing and collection of passports.

The 5,099 applicants enrolled so far include people seeking new passports as well as those requiring renewals or resolution of outstanding applications.

The continued exercise in the United Kingdom comes as the Federal Government works to improve passport administration and reduce delays experienced by Nigerians at home and abroad.

The NIS said the intervention remains ongoing, meaning additional applicants are expected to be processed at the London and Manchester centres.