The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has announced the deployment of a dedicated passport intervention team to the United Kingdom to address pending applications and ease passport enrolment and renewal for Nigerians in the diaspora.
According to a statement issued on Sunday by the Service Public Relations Officer, DCI Akinsola Akinlabi, the Comptroller-General of Immigration, Kemi Nanna Nandap, directed the team to proceed to the UK and work with the Nigerian High Commission to facilitate the processing and issuance of passports.
The intervention team is expected to arrive in the United Kingdom on August 10, 2026.
The exercise will cover pending passport applications, new applications and renewal applications from eligible Nigerians across the United Kingdom.
The NIS said the team would visit designated cities across the country to conduct passport enrolment and processing, which allow applicants outside London and other major centres to access the intervention.
“The Intervention Team is scheduled to arrive in the United Kingdom on 10th August, 2026, and will work in collaboration with the Nigerian High Commission to facilitate the processing and issuance of pending, new and renewal passport applications,” the statement said.
The NIS explained that the intervention is open to Nigerians whose passport applications are still pending, those applying for passports for the first time and existing passport holders with less than one year before expiry who wish to renew their documents.
Applicants participating in the exercise are required to present their completed passport application forms as well as proof of payment during enrolment.
However, the NIS cautioned applicants against visiting any location before the official schedule for the exercise is released.
It said details of the designated cities, dates, venues, enrolment times and other arrangements would be communicated separately.
It advised applicants to monitor the official communication channels of the Nigerian High Commission in the United Kingdom for the schedule and other updates.
The warning is aimed at preventing applicants from travelling to locations where the intervention team may not yet be operating or where enrolment has not been scheduled.
The NIS also clarified that its existing digital passport application channels will remain operational throughout the intervention.
This includes the Contactless Passport Application System, which allows eligible applicants to complete passport-related processes digitally.
The NIS further said its home delivery service would remain available to applicants during the intervention.
The continued availability of the digital channels means applicants who do not require physical enrolment through the intervention team can continue to access the existing passport services.
For enquiries and complaints relating to the UK passport intervention, applicants can contact the NIS through passport.london@immigration.gov.ng or the WhatsApp-only line, +234 916 087 8000.
The intervention comes amid efforts by the Immigration Service and the Ministry of Interior to improve passport service delivery to Nigerians both within the country and abroad.
The NIS said the exercise was part of its broader commitment to making passport services more efficient, transparent and responsive.
“The Nigeria Immigration Service remains committed to efficient, transparent and responsive passport service delivery to Nigerians at home and in the diaspora,” the statement said.
(The Whistler)