Nigeria FG: Denies New UK Passport Charges for Intervention

• The Nigerian Federal Government has denied imposing any new charges for passport applications in the UK under a special intervention exercise.
• Official fees remain $150 for a five-year passport and $230 for a ten-year passport, excluding bank charges.
• The denial follows complaints about delays and inconveniences experienced by applicants at UK intervention centres, including Manchester.
• Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, expressed concern and assured that efforts are underway to address these challenges.
• Applicants are encouraged to utilize the contactless biometric passport application system as a seamless alternative.

This official clarification provides a crucial benchmark for legitimate costs, enabling legal professionals to accurately advise clients and challenge any demands for unauthorized payments during the special intervention exercise.

The Nigerian Federal Government has unequivocally denied the introduction of any new or additional charges for citizens applying for international passports within the United Kingdom. This clarification specifically addresses the ongoing special passport intervention exercise, which aims to streamline application processes for Nigerians residing abroad. The Ministry of Interior and the Nigeria Immigration Service have both affirmed that no extra fees have been sanctioned beyond the established official rates.

Applicants are therefore required to pay only the stipulated amounts: $150 for a passport with a five-year validity period and $230 for a passport valid for ten years. It is important to note that these figures do not encompass any applicable bank charges, which remain separate. This definitive statement from the government seeks to dispel any confusion or misinformation regarding the legitimate costs associated with obtaining a Nigerian passport in the UK.

This official denial emerged in response to a wave of complaints detailing significant delays and inconveniences experienced by Nigerian applicants at various intervention centres across the UK, including a notable instance in Manchester. The special passport intervention initiative was originally established to offer Nigerian citizens in the United Kingdom more accessible options for processing their passport applications, thereby easing the burden of travel and administrative hurdles.

Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, the Minister of Interior, publicly acknowledged these challenges, expressing concern over the reported difficulties. His Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Alao Babatunde, conveyed the Minister's assurance that active measures are being implemented to resolve the operational issues that have plagued the exercise. The government's commitment to improving service delivery for its citizens, both domestically and internationally, was reiterated in light of these concerns.

The catalyst for the government's clarification included a specific social media complaint from an individual identified as Oluomo of Derby. Writing on X, Oluomo detailed a frustrating experience at the Passport Intervention Centre in Manchester, where applicants who arrived as early as 9:00 a.m. on a Monday were still awaiting attention several hours later, by 11:30 a.m. This account highlighted significant organizational and communication shortcomings, underscoring the inconvenience faced by individuals who had taken time off work, traveled long distances, and paid for the passport services.

In response to such grievances, Minister Tunji-Ojo indicated that consultations are actively underway with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to mitigate and ultimately eliminate the inconveniences encountered by applicants. Furthermore, the Minister encouraged applicants to leverage the contactless biometric passport application system, describing it as a seamless and efficient alternative for processing their documents. This proactive approach underscores the government's dedication to enhancing the overall experience for Nigerian passport applicants abroad.

For legal professionals advising Nigerian clients in the UK, this explicit statement from the Federal Government is invaluable. It provides a clear and authoritative benchmark for the legitimate costs associated with Nigerian passport applications, enabling lawyers to accurately inform their clients about the official fees of $150 for a five-year passport and $230 for a ten-year passport, exclusive of bank charges. This clarity is crucial for preventing exploitation and ensuring transparency in the application process.

This official clarification provides a crucial benchmark for legitimate costs, enabling legal professionals to accurately advise clients and challenge any demands for unauthorized payments during the special intervention exercise. Lawyers can now confidently counsel clients on their rights regarding payment, empowering them to question and refuse any unofficial charges that may be requested. By foregrounding these official figures, the government aims to foster greater accountability and protect applicants from illicit financial demands, reinforcing trust in the passport application system.

This clarification provides legal professionals with the official stance on Nigerian passport application fees in the UK, enabling them to advise clients accurately on legitimate costs and challenge any demands for unofficial charges during the special intervention exercise.

Source: Original reporting via Punch Newspapers