The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has deployed a dedicated Passport Intervention Team to the United Kingdom to tackle the backlog of passport applications and improve access to passport services for Nigerians in the diaspora
The intervention team is scheduled to arrive in the UK and begin work on August 10, 2026, following a directive from the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo
According to the NIS, the team will work with the Nigerian High Commission in the UK to process pending, new and renewal passport applications
The exercise will also cover designated cities across the United Kingdom, allowing eligible Nigerians outside London and other major centres to access passport enrolment and processing services
The deployment comes as the NIS continues efforts to improve passport services for Nigerians at home and abroad, forming part of its wider plan to make passport delivery more efficient, transparent and responsive
The team will operate under the direction of the Comptroller-General of Immigration, Kemi Nandap, and will work with officials at the Nigerian High Commission to address outstanding applications
The move could help Nigerians who have experienced delays with pending passport applications or need to renew passports that are close to expiry
Who Can Apply?
The intervention is open to several categories of applicants
Nigerians with pending passport applications can use the exercise to pursue their applications. New applicants can also enrol, while existing passport holders with less than one year remaining before expiry can apply for renewal
Applicants must present their completed application forms and proof of payment during enrolment
The NIS has, however, warned applicants not to visit any location until the official schedule is released
Cities and Venues Will Be Announced
The Immigration Service said the intervention team will visit designated cities across the United Kingdom
However, the NIS has not yet released the complete list of cities, dates, venues and enrolment times
Applicants are therefore advised to wait for official communication before travelling to any location
The Service also urged Nigerians in the UK to monitor the official communication channels of the Nigerian High Commission in the United Kingdom for updates about the exercise
Digital Passport Services Remain Available
The NIS said its digital passport application channels will continue to operate during the intervention
This includes the Contactless Passport Application System, which remains available to eligible applicants
The intervention team will therefore provide an additional channel for people who need in-person enrolment or assistance with pending applications
What Applicants Should Do
Nigerians seeking to benefit from the exercise should complete their passport application forms and keep proof of payment ready
They should also avoid relying on unofficial information about venues or dates
Instead, applicants should wait for the official schedule and follow updates from the Nigerian High Commission and the NIS
This approach is important because the Service has specifically advised applicants not to attend any location until the relevant schedule has been officially communicated
A Push to Improve Passport Services
The UK intervention reflects the NIS’s continued effort to address passport service challenges affecting Nigerians in the diaspora
By taking the intervention team to different cities, the Service also aims to make passport processing more accessible to applicants who may otherwise need to travel long distances
For Nigerians waiting for passports, the immediate priority will be whether the exercise can reduce existing backlogs and speed up processing
The success of the intervention will ultimately depend on how quickly pending applications are resolved and how efficiently new and renewal applications are handled
For now, Nigerians in the UK are advised to prepare their documents, monitor official channels and wait for the announced schedule before visiting any enrolment centre.
