The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) says its special passport intervention exercise in London and Manchester is progressing smoothly, despite initial challenges on the first day.

The NIS made this known in a statement by its public relations officer, Akinsola Akinlabi, on Friday in Abuja.

Mr Akinlabi said the exercise was being conducted to provide passport services to eligible Nigerians residing in the United Kingdom.

He said in line with the NIS’s commitment to an orderly and transparent process, eligible applicants were required to book appointments for the intervention exercise through the website of the High Commission of Nigeria in the UK.

He listed the documents applicants were required to present at their scheduled appointments: a completed application form and payment receipt, an appointment slip for the intervention exercise, a current passport where applicable, and a self-addressed return envelope.

The spokesperson reiterated that the passport application and payment processes were fully automated and strictly cashless.

He said the applicable fees remained $162 for a five-year validity passport booklet and $242 for a 10-year validity booklet.

“No additional charges are required to participate in the intervention exercise,” he said.

Mr Akinlabi said that within the first four days of the exercise, a total of 1,477 Nigerians had been successfully processed and enrolled.

He added that more than half of those enrolled had already had their passports produced and dispatched to their respective addresses.

The spokesperson said in response to the high turnout and interest generated by the exercise, the NIS, under the directive of the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, had approved an extension.

He said the exercise in London and Manchester, initially scheduled to end on September 19, would now continue until October 3, 2026.

“The extension was aimed at providing additional capacity to accommodate the increasing demand and ensure that as many eligible applicants as possible were attended to,” he said.

Mr Akinlabi 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 UK.

He appreciated Nigerians in the UK for their patience and cooperation throughout the exercise.

He reaffirmed the service’s commitment to delivering efficient, transparent and responsive passport services to Nigerians both at home and in the diaspora.

(NAN)