The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has extended its special passport intervention exercise in the United Kingdom by two weeks, following a surge in applications from Nigerians in London and Manchester.

The exercise, which was originally scheduled to end on September 19, will now continue at the two centres until October 3, 2026.

The NIS disclosed this in a statement signed by its Service Public Relations Officer, DCI Akinsola Akinlabi, and published on the Service’s X handle on Friday.

According to the Service, 1,477 Nigerians were processed and enrolled during the first four days of the exercise, while more than half of the applicants had already had their passports produced and sent to their respective addresses.

The extension was approved following a directive from the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, in response to the high turnout and increased demand for the intervention.

The NIS said the extension would enable it to accommodate more eligible applicants and expand its capacity to serve Nigerians seeking passport services.

It urged eligible applicants to secure appointments through the website of the High Commission of Nigeria in the UK, stressing that the process was designed to be orderly and transparent.

Applicants are expected to present their completed application forms and payment receipts, appointment slips, current passports where applicable, and self-addressed return envelopes at their scheduled appointments.

The Service reiterated that passport applications and payments are fully automated and cashless.

It said the applicable fees remain $162 for a five-year passport booklet and $242 for a 10-year booklet, adding that applicants would not be required to pay any additional charges to participate in the intervention exercise.

The NIS said updates on the extended dates, locations and appointment procedures would be made available through its official channels and those of the Nigerian High Commission in the UK.

The Service also thanked Nigerians in the UK for their patience and cooperation, assuring them of continued efforts to provide efficient and responsive passport services.