By Abbanobi-Eku Onyeka
The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has enrolled 8,552 Nigerians in the United States, Canada, Qatar and the United Kingdom through targeted passport intervention exercises designed to bring services closer to citizens in the diaspora.
The Service said the intervention exercises were undertaken as part of efforts to improve passport service delivery, following the directive of the Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.
In a statement e-signed on Monday by the NIS Public Relations Officer, DCI Akinsola Akinlabi, the Service said the exercises were conducted in collaboration with Nigerian diplomatic missions and representatives of Nigerian communities in the affected countries.
According to the Service, 535 Nigerians were enrolled during the exercise held in Chicago, Michigan and Milwaukee in the United States between September 7 and 15, 2026.
In Canada, a total of 2,257 applicants were enrolled during the exercise conducted between September 6 and 19 across Manitoba, Toronto, Saskatoon, Alberta and New Brunswick.
The Qatar intervention exercise, held from August 9 to 24, recorded 751 enrolments.
The United Kingdom recorded the highest number so far, with 5,099 Nigerians enrolled in London and Manchester, with the exercise still ongoing.
The NIS said passport production and dispatch are being carried out concurrently in the UK as the intervention continues.
The Service also advised Nigerians who could not secure appointment slots, as well as those who may prefer not to visit passport centres or the High Commission physically, to use the Contactless Passport Application System.
The NIS reaffirmed its commitment to providing accessible, efficient and convenient passport services to Nigerians living outside the country.
