Nigeria: Nigerians in UK Lament Delays, Extra Fees, Poor Organisation At NIS Passport Centres

What the report says

Nigerians living in the United Kingdom have criticized the Nigeria Immigration Service’s special passport intervention programme, saying the exercise was marked by long delays, poor coordination and unexpected extra costs. According to Premium Times, the intervention was announced in August to help people obtain new passports, renew existing ones and resolve pending applications, with the first phase planned for London and Manchester between 7 and 19 September.

Applicants described queues, hours-long waits and confusion at the centres, with several complaints spreading on social media. Some said they had booked appointments, paid online and still waited for extended periods before being attended to. Others alleged that people were being turned away unless they paid an additional fee beyond the standard passport application charges.

The report also said there were questions about venue arrangements in London, including claims that one site may not have been fully paid and lacked adequate security or staffing. A video circulating online showed frustration at an apparent closure of the premises. The allegations could not be independently verified in the article.

Nigeria’s Interior Minister, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, rejected the claim that the government had introduced extra charges, saying only official passport fees apply and that the ministry is working with the Foreign Affairs Ministry to reduce inconvenience. Premium Times said it had sought comment from the NIS spokesperson, but no response had been received at publication time.