The Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) has undertaken targeted passport intervention exercises in the United States of America, Canada and Qatar, alongside the ongoing exercise in the United Kingdom.

This is contained in a statement by the service public relations officer (PRO), Akinsola Akinlabi, made available in Abuja on Monday.

Mr Akinlabi said that the exercises were conducted in commitment to improving passport service delivery and under the directive of the Minster of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.

According to him, the exercises aim to bring passport services closer to Nigerians across various cities.

“The exercises were conducted in collaboration with Nigerian diplomatic missions and representatives of Nigerian communities in the aforementioned countries.

“This is to ensure a coordinated and responsive service delivery process, and thousands of Nigerians have benefited from the exercises,” he said.

The service PRO disclosed that the United States of America (Chicago, Michigan, and Milwaukee) enrolled 535 persons between September 7 and 15, while Canada (Manitoba, Toronto, Saskatoon, Alberta and New Brunswick) enrolled 2,257 persons between September 6 and 19.

He added that 751 persons were enrolled in Qatar between August 9 and 24, while the ongoing exercise in the United Kingdom (London and Manchester) had enrolled 5,099 as of September 21.

Mr Akinlabi said that the intervention exercise in the UK and passport production and dispatch were being carried out concurrently.

He also said that applicants who were unable to secure appointment slots during the exercise, as well as those who may prefer not to physically visit the centres or the High Commission, were encouraged to utilise the Contactless Passport Application System.

He reiterated the commitment of the NIS to responsive and accessible passport services for Nigerians in the diaspora as well as ensuring timely, efficient and convenient service delivery.

(NAN)