Nigerian Government Deploys Special Team to UK to Tackle Lingering Passport Backlog Crisis
The Nigerian Federal Government has dispatched a special passport intervention team to the United Kingdom to urgently address and clear the significant backlog and processing delays for passport applications from Nigerians in the diaspora. This NIS-led initiative, directed by Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, will cover new applications, renewals, and pending cases, with a detailed schedule for city visits to be released via official channels.
The Federal Government of Nigeria has deployed a dedicated passport intervention team to the United Kingdom, specifically tasked with addressing and resolving significant delays in the processing of passport applications for Nigerians residing in the diaspora. This comprehensive initiative targets pending applications, new passport requests, and renewals.
Dispatched by the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) under the direct instruction of the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, the specialized team is poised to collaborate closely with the Nigerian High Commission in the UK. Their collective objective is to significantly fast-track passport enrolment and processing, ensuring a more efficient service delivery for citizens abroad.
The intervention team is scheduled to commence operations and arrive in the UK on Monday, with plans to visit various designated cities across the country. During these visits, the team will conduct intensive passport enrolment exercises and work diligently to resolve all outstanding applications. This proactive approach is a crucial part of the government's broader strategy to enhance passport services for Nigerians globally and mitigate the delays commonly associated with passport enrolment, processing, and renewal.
The exercise is designed to cater to a wide range of applicants, including Nigerians who currently have pending passport applications, individuals applying for a new passport for the first time, and existing passport holders whose documents have less than one year remaining before expiration and are due for renewal. To participate in this intervention, applicants are strictly required to present their fully completed application forms along with valid proof of payment during the enrolment process.
The Nigeria Immigration Service has confirmed that a detailed and comprehensive timetable for the entire exercise will be released shortly. This schedule will specify the precise cities to be visited, the exact dates, venues, designated enrolment periods, and other essential operational arrangements. Until this official schedule is publicly announced, applicants are strongly advised against visiting any location.
Furthermore, the NIS urges all prospective applicants to rely solely on official communication channels, particularly updates provided by the Nigerian High Commission in the UK, for accurate and timely information and further instructions regarding the intervention. This measure ensures that all participants are well-informed and can plan accordingly for the upcoming passport processing events.