IMMIGRATION EXTENDS UK PASSPORT EXERCISE AS 1,477 NIGERIANS APPLY

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has extended its passport intervention exercise in the United Kingdom after receiving 1,477 applications from Nigerians seeking to obtain or renew their travel documents. The extension is aimed at allowing more Nigerians in the UK to access passport services and resolving some of the challenges members of the diaspora face when processing their documents.

The intervention exercise was introduced as part of efforts by the immigration authorities to improve passport services for Nigerians living outside the country. The initiative provides applicants with an opportunity to process their applications through a dedicated exercise, while immigration officials work to address outstanding requests and improve the overall efficiency of passport issuance.

According to the immigration authorities, the large number of applications recorded during the exercise shows the level of demand for Nigerian passports among citizens living in the United Kingdom. The NIS has continued to emphasise the importance of making passport services more accessible to Nigerians abroad, particularly those who require valid travel documents for international travel, residency and other official purposes.

The extension is expected to give applicants who could not complete their applications within the initial period additional time to access the service. Immigration officials are also expected to continue verification, documentation and other processes required before passports can be issued, while ensuring that applications are handled according to established procedures.

The intervention is part of broader efforts by the NIS to improve passport administration and reduce delays for Nigerians at home and abroad. With 1,477 applications already processed or submitted under the UK exercise, the extension is expected to further ease pressure on applicants and help more Nigerians in the country obtain their passports without having to travel to Nigeria for the service.