The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has extended the end of its ongoing passport intervention exercise in the United Kingdom (UK) from September 19 to October 3.
Akinsola Akinlabi, NIS public relations officer, said in a
statement on Friday that the extension followed a directive from Olubunmi
Tunji-Ojo, minister of interior, in response to “the high turnout and interest
shown”.
The passport intervention, scheduled to run from September 7
to 19, was launched to clear backlogs involving new passport applications,
renewals and pending cases.
According to Akinlabi, 1,477 Nigerians were successfully
processed and enrolled within the first four days of the exercise.
“Over half of those enrolled have already had their
passports produced and dispatched to their respective addresses,” the NIS
spokesperson said.
He said the extension is intended to provide additional
capacity to accommodate the increasing demand and ensure that as many eligible
applicants are attended to.
On the first day of the exercise, applicants protested
additional administrative fees and delays in processing applications after the
Nigeria high commission in London imposed an extra £70 for administration
without approval from the ministry of foreign affairs, and £150 for lost
passports.
In Friday’s statement, Akinlabi said applicable fees remain
$162 for a five-year validity passport booklet and $242 for a ten-year validity
booklet.
“No additional charges are required to participate in the
intervention exercise,” he added.
The NIS official said eligible applicants are, however,
required to book appointments for the special intervention exercise via the
high commission’s website and to present a completed application form and
payment receipt; appointment slip for the intervention exercise; current
passport (where applicable) and; a self-addressed return envelope at their
scheduled appointment.
He said further information regarding the extended dates,
participating locations and appointment procedures will be communicated through
the official channels of both the NIS and high commission.
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