The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has successfully enrolled 8,552 Nigerians residing in the United States, Canada, Qatar, and the United Kingdom through targeted passport intervention exercises. This initiative aims to address persistent complaints over passport application delays and access to services among Nigerians in the diaspora. The exercises were carried out under the directive of the Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, in collaboration with Nigerian diplomatic missions and representatives of Nigerian communities in the affected countries.
According to the NIS, the United Kingdom recorded the highest number of enrolments, with 5,099 Nigerians enrolled in London and Manchester. The UK exercise is still ongoing, with passport production and dispatch being carried out concurrently. This move is part of the federal government's efforts to improve passport service delivery for Nigerians living abroad. The NIS disclosed the latest figures on Monday, 21 September 2026, in an update on the intervention exercises.
Canada recorded 2,257 enrolments across Manitoba, Toronto, Saskatoon, Alberta, and New Brunswick during an exercise held from 6 September to 19. In the United States, 535 Nigerians were enrolled across Chicago, Michigan, and Milwaukee between September 7 and 15. Additionally, 751 Nigerians benefited from the intervention exercise in Qatar between August 9 and 24. These numbers bring the total number of enrolled applicants to 8,552.
The intervention exercises were a response to growing complaints from Nigerians in the diaspora, particularly in the United Kingdom, over difficulties encountered while attempting to obtain or renew their Nigerian passports. In August, the federal government announced the deployment of a dedicated Passport Intervention Team from the NIS headquarters to the UK to address pending, new, and renewal applications.
The team worked with the Nigerian High Commission and visited designated cities across the UK to bring passport enrolment and processing closer to applicants. However, some Nigerians raised concerns about delays, poor coordination, and additional administrative charges during the special intervention exercise in September. Reports from the UK showed applicants gathering at intervention centres and complaining about long waiting times and difficulties accessing the facilities.
Some applicants alleged that they were being asked to pay additional administrative fees in addition to the official passport charges. In response to these complaints, the Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, clarified on 7 September that the special intervention exercise did not attract additional charges beyond the official passport fees. The Minister's clarification aimed to address the concerns and ensure a smooth process for applicants.
The Nigeria Immigration Service's efforts to improve passport services for Nigerians in the diaspora are ongoing. The intervention exercises have been carried out in collaboration with Nigerian diplomatic missions and representatives of Nigerian communities in the affected countries. The NIS will continue to work towards easing delays and streamlining passport services for Nigerians in the country.
Key points
- 8,552 Nigerians enrolled for passport services across US, Canada, Qatar, and UK
- UK recorded highest number of enrolments with 5,099 Nigerians
- Intervention exercises aimed to address complaints over passport application delays and access to services
