By Omoyeni Ojeifo
To improve service delivery and ease passport acquisition for Nigerians in the United Kingdom, the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has initiated a special intervention offering dedicated enrolment and processing facilities.
The intervention team, deployed from the NIS Headquarters in Abuja, is scheduled to arrive in the United Kingdom on Monday, August 10 and work with the Nigerian High Commission to process pending, new and renewal applications.
The exercise will cover designated cities across the UK, allowing eligible applicants in different parts of the country to access passport enrolment and processing without having to rely solely on existing arrangements.
Dr. Olubunmi Tunji- Ojo, the Minister of Interior, directed the Comptroller-General of Immigration, Kemi Nanna Nandap, to deploy the dedicated team as part of efforts to further streamline passport services for Nigerians in the diaspora.
The intervention is open to applicants with pending passport applications, new applicants and holders of passports with less than one year remaining before expiry who wish to renew, according to a statement by the ministry on Sunday.
“Applicants are required to present their completed application forms and proof of payment during enrolment,”it said.
“The detailed schedule, including designated cities, dates, venues, enrolment times and other arrangements, will be announced separately by the relevant authorities”.
The NIS further advised applicants not to proceed to any location until the official schedule is communicated and urged them to monitor the Nigerian High Commission’s official communication channels for updates.
“For enquiries or complaints, applicants can contact [email protected] or use the WhatsApp-only line, +234 916 087 8000”.
The Service added that its digital passport application channels, including the Contactless Passport Application System, remain fully operational throughout the intervention, while home delivery services are also available.