NIS extends UK passport exercise by two weeks over rising demand
The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has extended its special passport intervention exercise in London and Manchester by two weeks following a surge in demand from Nigerians in the United Kingdom.
The exercise, which was initially scheduled to end on September 19, 2026, will now run until October 3, 2026.
The extension was approved by the Service under the directive of the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, following the high turnout recorded at the two centres.
The NIS said 1,477 Nigerians were successfully processed and enrolled within the first four days of the exercise, with more than half of those enrolled already having their passports produced and dispatched to their respective addresses.
The Service said the intervention, which began with some initial challenges, was progressing at both the London and Manchester centres.
In a statement issued by its Public Relations Officer, DCI Akinsola Akinlabi, the NIS said the decision to extend the exercise was aimed at accommodating the growing number of applicants seeking passport services.
“Within the first four days of the exercise, a total number of 1477 Nigerians have been successfully processed and enrolled. Over half of those enrolled have already had their passports produced and dispatched to their respective addresses,” the Service said.
The NIS added that the extension was approved in response to the level of interest generated by the exercise.
“In response to the high turnout and interest shown, the Nigeria Immigration Service, under the directive of the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has approved an extension of the exercise in London and Manchester from September 19 to October 3, 2026.
“The extension is intended to provide additional capacity to accommodate the increasing demand and ensure that as many eligible applicants are attended to,” it said.
The Service urged applicants seeking to benefit from the extended exercise to book appointments through the website of the High Commission of Nigeria in the United Kingdom.
Applicants are required to present a completed application form and payment receipt, appointment slip, current passport where applicable, and a self-addressed return envelope.
The NIS also reiterated that the passport application and payment processes remain fully automated and strictly cashless.
“The Service further reiterates that the passport application and payment processes are fully automated and strictly cashless,” it said.
The applicable fees remain $162 for a five-year validity passport booklet and $242 for a 10-year validity booklet.
The Service stressed that applicants are not required to pay any additional charges to participate in the intervention exercise.
It said further information on the extended dates, participating locations and appointment procedures would be communicated through the official channels of the NIS and the High Commission of Nigeria in the United Kingdom.
