The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has successfully enrolled 8,552 Nigerians residing in the United States, Canada, Qatar, and the United Kingdom through a series of targeted passport intervention exercises. This initiative aims to address persistent complaints regarding passport application delays and access to services among Nigerians in the diaspora. According to the NIS, these exercises were conducted 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.
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. In Canada, 2,257 enrolments were recorded across Manitoba, Toronto, Saskatoon, Alberta, and New Brunswick during an exercise held from September 6 to 19. These efforts demonstrate the NIS's commitment to improving passport service delivery to Nigerians living abroad.
In the United States, 535 Nigerians were enrolled across Chicago, Michigan, and Milwaukee between September 7 and 15. Qatar saw 751 Nigerians benefit from the intervention exercise between August 9 and 24. The combined figure from the four countries brings the total number of enrolled applicants to 8,552. These numbers indicate a significant step towards addressing the backlog of passport applications and providing relief to Nigerians in the diaspora.
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, despite these efforts, 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 beyond the official passport charges. In response to these complaints, the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, clarified that the special intervention exercise did not attract additional charges beyond the official passport fees of $150 for a five-year passport and $230 for a 10-year passport.
The Minister's clarification aimed to alleviate concerns and ensure that applicants were not unfairly burdened with extra costs. The NIS's efforts to streamline passport services and address the backlog of applications are ongoing, with a focus on improving the overall experience for Nigerians in the diaspora. The intervention exercises have made a significant impact, and the NIS continues to work towards providing efficient and effective passport services.
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.
- Minister of Interior clarifies no additional charges beyond official passport fees.
