UK Records Highest Enrolment as Service Takes Passport Centres Closer to Diaspora
The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has enrolled 8,552 Nigerians living abroad in targeted passport intervention exercises across the United States, Canada, Qatar and the United Kingdom.
The exercises are part of efforts to improve passport services for Nigerians in the diaspora and bring application and enrolment facilities closer to applicants.
The initiative is being implemented in line with the directive of the Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.
According to a statement issued on Monday by the NIS Service Public Relations Officer, DCI Akinsola Akinlabi, the intervention exercises were conducted in collaboration with Nigerian diplomatic missions and representatives of Nigerian communities in the affected countries.
The collaboration, the Service said, was aimed at ensuring coordinated, responsive and convenient passport services for Nigerians abroad.
In the United States, a total of 535 applicants were enrolled in Chicago, Michigan and Milwaukee between September 7 and 15, 2026.
Canada recorded 2,257 enrolments across Manitoba, Toronto, Saskatoon, Alberta and New Brunswick between September 6 and 19.
In Qatar, 751 Nigerians were enrolled during the intervention exercise conducted between August 9 and 24.
The United Kingdom recorded the highest number, with 5,099 enrolments so far from the ongoing exercise covering London and Manchester.
The NIS said the UK exercise was still ongoing, with passport production and dispatch being undertaken concurrently.
The Service said the intervention exercises were designed to address challenges faced by Nigerians abroad in accessing passport services, particularly those living far from Nigerian diplomatic missions or designated passport centres.
It advised Nigerians who could not secure appointment slots during the intervention exercises, as well as those who prefer not to visit passport centres or High Commission offices physically, to make use of the Contactless Passport Application System.
The NIS said the digital option would provide another avenue for eligible Nigerians to access passport services without necessarily appearing physically at a passport centre.
The Service reiterated its commitment to making passport services more accessible, timely, responsive and convenient for Nigerians in the diaspora.
It said the intervention exercises would continue to support efforts to improve service delivery and address passport-related needs among Nigerians living outside the country.
