Passport Backlog: Immigration Service Deploys Intervention Team To UK

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has deployed a dedicated Passport Intervention Team (PIT) to the United Kingdom to tackle the backlog of passport applications and further ease access to passport services for Nigerians in the diaspora.

The Service in a statement signed by its Public Relations Officer, DCI Akinsola Akinlabi, said the intervention is part of its continuing efforts to ensure efficient, transparent and responsive passport service delivery to Nigerians at home and in the diaspora.

The intervention team, according to the statement deployed on the directive of the Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, is scheduled to arrive and commence work in the UK today, August 10, 2026.

The team under the direction of the Comptroller-General of Immigration, Kemi Nandap, the statement revealed will work with the Nigerian High Commission in the UK to facilitate the processing and issuance of pending, new and renewal passport applications.

The exercise , according to the Service spokesperson will also take the team to designated cities across the United Kingdom for passport enrolment and processing, enabling eligible applicants in different parts of the country to access the service.

According to the NIS, the intervention is open to applicants with pending passport applications, new applicants and holders of passports with less than one year remaining before expiry who wished to renew.

The statement further explained that applicants are expected to present their completed application forms and proof of payment during enrolment.

They, however, cautioned applicants against visiting any location until the official schedule is released.

Akinlabi said details of the designated cities, dates, venues, enrolment times and other arrangements will be announced separately, as he further advised applicants to therefoe  monitor the official communication channels of the Nigerian High Commission in the UK for updates.

The NIS further stated that all its digital passport application channels, including the Contactless Passport Application System, remain operational throughout the intervention exercise.

“The Intervention Team is scheduled to arrive in the United Kingdom on 10th August, 2026, and will work in collaboration with the Nigerian High Commission to facilitate the processing and issuance of pending, new and renewal passport applications,” the statement added.

“As part of the exercise, the intervention team will visit designated cities across the United Kingdom to conduct passport enrolment and processing, thereby enabling eligible applicants in different parts of the country to access the exercise.

“This intervention is open to applicants with pending passport applications, new applicants, and holders of passports with less than one year remaining before expiry who wish to apply for renewal. Applicants are to present their completed application forms and proof of payment during enrolment,”the statement added

“The detailed schedule for the intervention, including the designated cities, dates, venues, enrolment times and other arrangements, will be announced separately. Applicants are therefore advised not to attend any location until the relevant schedule has been officially communicated and to monitor the official communication channels of the Nigerian High Commission in the United Kingdom for further details,” the statement concluded