Passport intervention: FG denies imposing new charges on Nigerians in UK

The Federal Government has denied introducing additional charges for Nigerians applying for international passports in the United Kingdom under the ongoing special passport intervention exercise.

The clarification followed complaints over delays and inconvenience experienced by Nigerians at some intervention centres in the UK, including Manchester.

The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, expressed concern over the situation and assured Nigerians that efforts were underway to address the challenges associated with the exercise.

In a statement on Monday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Alao Babatunde, the minister said the intervention was introduced to provide Nigerians in the UK with more options to process their passport applications.

The ministry said applicants were required to pay only the official fees of $150 for a five-year passport and $230 for a 10-year passport, excluding applicable bank charges.

“It is therefore necessary to clarify that this process does not come with extra costs different from the official fees of $150 and $230 for five-year and ten-year validity passports respectively, exclusive of bank charges. Neither the Ministry of Interior nor the Nigeria Immigration Service has introduced any other charges outside the aforementioned,” the statement said.

The minister also said consultations were ongoing with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to address the difficulties encountered by applicants.

“Consultations are ongoing with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to ensure that any inconveniences during this process do not persist any longer,” he said.

He also urged applicants to take advantage of the contactless biometric passport application system, describing it as a seamless alternative for processing applications.

The ministry reaffirmed the government’s commitment to improving services for Nigerians both at home and abroad.

“This government has demonstrated a high level of responsibility to Nigerians at home and abroad, and remains committed to its promises of providing succour to all,” he said.

The clarification came after a social media complaint by Oluomo of Derby, who criticised the experience at the Passport Intervention Centre in Manchester.

Oluomo, writing on X on Monday, said applicants who arrived early at the centre were still waiting several hours later without receiving attention. “It is now 11:30 a.m., and people who arrived as early as 9:00 a.m. are still waiting, with nothing happening,” he said.

He urged the authorities to improve the organisation and communication surrounding the intervention exercise. “This is not the way to treat Nigerians who have taken time off work, travelled long distances, and paid for passport services,” he said.