Passport Crisis: 8,552 Nigerians Enrolled Across US, Canada, Qatar, UK

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has enrolled 8,552 Nigerians across the United States, Canada, Qatar and the United Kingdom through targeted passport intervention exercises, as the federal government steps up efforts to address persistent complaints over passport application delays and access to services among Nigerians in the diaspora.

The latest figures were disclosed by the NIS on Monday, September 21, 2026, in an update on the intervention exercises being undertaken to improve passport service delivery to Nigerians living abroad.

According to a statement signed by the Service public relations officer, DCI Akinsola Akinlabi, the exercises were carried out under the directive of the Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, in collaboration with Nigerian diplomatic missions and representatives of Nigerian communities in the affected countries.

According to the statement the figures show that the United Kingdom recorded the highest number of enrolments, with 5,099 Nigerians enrolled in London and Manchester. The UK exercise is still ongoing, with passport production and dispatch being carried out concurrently, according to the NIS.

Canada recorded 2,257 enrolments across Manitoba, Toronto, Saskatoon, Alberta and New Brunswick during an exercise held from September 6 to 19.

In the United States, the statement stated that 535 Nigerians were enrolled across Chicago, Michigan and Milwaukee between September 7 and 15, while 751 Nigerians benefited from the intervention exercise in Qatar between August 9 and 24.

It added that the combined figure from the four countries brings the total number of enrolled applicants to 8,552.

LEADERSHIP reports that the intervention exercises followed growing complaints from Nigerians in the diaspora, particularly in the United Kingdom, over difficulties encountered while attempting to obtain or renew their Nigerian passports.

In August, the federal government announced the deployment of a dedicated Passport Intervention Team from the NIS headquarters to the UK to address pending, new and renewal applications.

The team was scheduled to work with the Nigerian High Commission and visit designated cities across the UK to bring passport enrolment and processing closer to applicants. The NIS revealed than that the intervention was intended to ease delays and streamline passport services for Nigerians in the country.

However, when the special intervention exercise eventually commenced in September, some Nigerians again raised concerns about delays, poor coordination and additional administrative charges.

Reports from the UK showed applicants gathering at intervention centres and complaining about long waiting times and difficulties accessing the facilities. Some applicants also alleged that they were being asked to pay additional administrative fees beyond the official passport charges.

The complaints prompted a clarification from the Minister of Interior.

On September 7, the Minister of Interior,Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo Tunji-Ojo explained that the special intervention exercise did not attract additional charges beyond the official passport fees of $150 for a five-year passport and $230 for a 10-year passport, excluding bank charges.

The minister was quoted to have said that neither the Ministry of Interior nor the Nigeria Immigration Service had introduced any other charges for the intervention, while consultations were ongoing with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to address the inconveniences experienced by applicants.

The issue of administrative charges subsequently generated further clarification from the Nigerian High Commission in London. The commission said applicants who had paid a £70 administrative fee would receive a £50 refund, leaving £20 as the standard administrative charge.

Against that backdrop, the latest NIS figures indicate that thousands of Nigerians have nevertheless been reached through the intervention exercises across the four countries.

For the UK, where the exercise remains ongoing, the NIS said passport production and dispatch are being carried out concurrently.

The Service also urged applicants who were unable to secure appointment slots, as well as those who may prefer not to visit the intervention centres or the High Commission physically, to make use of the Contactless Passport Application System.

The NIS said the intervention exercises were designed to bring passport services closer to Nigerians in the diaspora and provide a more coordinated response to their passport needs.

The latest intervention is therefore taking place against the background of months of concerns from Nigerians abroad over passport access, processing delays and the difficulty of securing appointments.

With the UK exercise still ongoing, attention is now on how quickly the enrolled applicants will receive their passports as the NIS continues production and dispatch.

The Service reiterated its commitment to making passport services more accessible, timely and convenient for Nigerians in the diaspora.

Enrolment Breakdown:

United Kingdom: 5,099

Canada: 2,257

Qatar: 751

United States: 535

Total: 8,552