The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has enrolled 2,296 applicants during the first six operational days of its Special Passport Intervention Exercise in the UK.
Mr Akinsola Akinlabi, NIS Service Public Relations Officer, disclosed this in a statement issued on Monday in Abuja.
The exercise, which began on Sept. 7, is designed to clear a backlog of pending passport applications and address processing delays.
Akinlabi said applicants with confirmed appointments had recorded sustained turnout and steady processing at intervention centres in London and Manchester.
He said 587 applicants were enrolled at the London Centre, while 1,709 applicants were processed at the Manchester Centre.
The figures showed that the Manchester Centre accounted for about 74 per cent of the total applicants enrolled during the six-day period.
The intervention followed a federal government directive aimed at easing severe passport-processing delays experienced by Nigerians living in the diaspora.
Akinlabi said the Comptroller-General of Immigration, Mrs Kemi Nandap, visited the Manchester and London centres to monitor the exercise.
“The visit is part of efforts to ensure effective oversight and quality service delivery throughout the exercise,” he said.
According to him, the working visit enabled Nandap to assess the exercise firsthand and interact with members of the Nigerian community.
He said the engagement was also aimed at ensuring that passport services remained efficient, responsive and seamless for applicants.
Akinlabi said the exercise was continuing at both intervention centres, with officials attending to applicants with confirmed appointments.
“The exercise is continuing at the London and Manchester centres. Applicants with confirmed intervention appointments will be attended to,” he added.
He further disclosed that passport production and dispatch had started for applicants who completed their enrollment.
According to him, production and dispatch processes were progressing steadily as the intervention continued.
The NIS spokesperson appreciated Nigerians in the UK for their patience, understanding and cooperation throughout the exercise.
He urged applicants to continue cooperating with immigration officials at the centres to ensure smooth and efficient service delivery.
