UK: NIS extends passport intervention exercise to Oct 3

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has extended its special passport intervention exercise in the United Kingdom to October 3, 2026, following the high turnout of Nigerians seeking passport services.

The extension covers intervention centres in London and Manchester and will run from September 19 to October 3, 2026.

The Service Public Relations Officer, DCI Akinṣola Akinlabi, disclosed this in a statement issued on Friday, September 11, 2026.

According to the NIS, 1,477 Nigerians were successfully processed and enrolled within the first four days of the exercise, with more than half of those enrolled already having their passports produced and dispatched to their respective addresses.

The Service said the decision to extend the exercise was necessitated by the high turnout and interest among Nigerians in the UK, adding that the additional period would enable more eligible applicants to access the services.

“In response to the high turnout and interest shown, the Nigeria Immigration Service under the directive of the Honourable Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo has approved an extension of the exercise in London and Manchester from 19th September to 3rd October, 2026,” the statement read in part.

The extension was approved under the directive of the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.

The NIS said the exercise was progressing smoothly at the two centres despite challenges encountered on the first day.

Eligible applicants are required to book appointments through the website of the High Commission of Nigeria in the United Kingdom before attending the intervention exercise.

Applicants are also expected to present their completed application form and payment receipt, appointment slip for the intervention exercise, current passport where applicable, and a self-addressed return envelope.

The Service reiterated that the passport application and payment processes remain fully automated and cashless.

It said the applicable fees are $162 for a five-year validity passport booklet and $242 for a 10-year validity booklet, adding that no additional charges are required to participate in the intervention exercise.

The NIS said further information on the extended dates, participating locations and appointment procedures would be communicated through the official channels of the Service and the High Commission of Nigeria in the United Kingdom.

It also appreciated Nigerians in the UK for their patience and cooperation, assuring them of its commitment to providing efficient, transparent and responsive passport services to Nigerians in the diaspora.

The extension followed an earlier disruption at the London intervention centre, which led to the exercise being moved to a new venue.

The Nigeria High Commission in the UK had cited “unforeseen technical challenges” at the original location.

The London intervention was initially scheduled to take place at Liyali Lounge before applicants were directed to 56–57 Fleet Street, Temple, London EC4Y 1JU.

The venue change followed reports that Nigerians attending the intervention were asked to leave the original venue, although the High Commission did not mention a payment dispute in its notice.

The NIS Abuja Passport Intervention Team was deployed for the UK exercise, with London and Manchester initially scheduled to host the intervention from September 7 to 19, while Aberdeen and Cardiff were scheduled for September 21 to 26.

The intervention was organised to provide passport services to Nigerians in the UK through designated locations.

### Digital passport services

The UK intervention comes as the NIS continues to expand digital passport services for Nigerians living abroad.

In April 2025, the Service launched the second phase of its contactless biometric passport application system in the United States, Jamaica, Mexico and Brazil.

The system enables eligible Nigerians to renew their passports without visiting a passport centre for biometric enrolment by using the NIS Mobile application.

The system was launched in the United States on April 11, 2025, and in Jamaica on April 14.

The physical intervention in the UK therefore provides another channel for Nigerians who require passport services and are required to complete the process in person.