The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has made significant progress in its Special Passport Intervention Exercise for Nigerians in the United Kingdom, enrolling a total of 5,099 applicants. This update comes as the agency continues efforts to clear passport application backlogs. The exercise, which began on September 7, 2026, was launched under the directive of Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, Minister of Interior, to address backlogs involving new passport applications, renewals, and other pending passport cases affecting Nigerians in the UK.
In its Day 12 update, the NIS reported that the exercise continued uninterrupted across the London and Manchester centres on Saturday, with an additional 516 applicants enrolled. The breakdown shows that 370 applicants were enrolled in Manchester, while another 146 applicants were processed in London. This brings the cumulative number of applicants processed since the commencement of the intervention to 5,099.
The Immigration Service confirmed that passport production and dispatch for applicants previously enrolled under the exercise were progressing smoothly. The NIS urged applicants to continue cooperating with officials, stating that the exercise remains ongoing. Eligible applicants are required to book appointments through the official channels provided by the NIS and appear at the designated centres with the necessary documentation for processing.
The special intervention exercise was launched to address sustained demand for passport services among Nigerians in the UK, prompting the Immigration Service to deploy additional measures to process outstanding applications. The exercise was initially scheduled to run through mid-September but was extended in London and Manchester due to the high volume of applicants seeking to access the intervention.
The extension has enabled the NIS to continue processing applicants at the designated centres while production and dispatch of passports for those already enrolled proceed alongside fresh enrolment. The NIS urged applicants to comply with appointment procedures and cooperate with officials at the designated centres to facilitate orderly processing.
Under the arrangement, applicants must book appointments through official channels and appear at designated centres with necessary documentation. The NIS continues to process applicants at the London and Manchester centres, with the exercise showing no signs of interruption.
The Nigeria Immigration Service's efforts to clear passport application backlogs are ongoing, with the Special Passport Intervention Exercise having enrolled 5,099 applicants so far. The exercise is a significant step towards resolving the passport issues affecting Nigerians in the UK, and the NIS is working to ensure a smooth process for all applicants.
Key points
- 5,099 applicants enrolled under Special Passport Intervention Exercise
- Exercise extended in London and Manchester due to high volume of applicants
- Passport production and dispatch progressing smoothly for enrolled applicants
