By Paul Joseph
The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has enrolled 8,552 Nigerians living abroad through targeted passport intervention exercises conducted across the United States, Canada, Qatar and the United Kingdom.
The intervention exercises were carried out as part of efforts to improve passport service delivery to Nigerians in the diaspora, following a directive by the Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.
According to a statement signed by the NIS Public Relations Officer, DCI Akinsola Akinlabi, on Monday, the exercises were designed to bring passport services closer to Nigerians in different cities and make the process more accessible and responsive.
The Service said the exercises were conducted in collaboration with Nigerian diplomatic missions and representatives of Nigerian communities in the affected countries.
The United Kingdom recorded the highest number of applicants, with 5,099 Nigerians enrolled in London and Manchester. The exercise in the UK is still ongoing, with passport production and dispatch being carried out simultaneously to facilitate timely delivery to applicants.
In Canada, 2,257 Nigerians were enrolled across Manitoba, Toronto, Saskatoon, Alberta and New Brunswick during the intervention exercise held between September 6 and 19, 2026.
The United States exercise, which covered Chicago, Michigan and Milwaukee, recorded 535 enrolments between September 7 and 15.
Similarly, 751 Nigerians were enrolled during the passport intervention exercise conducted in Qatar between August 24 and September 9, 2026.
The NIS said the combined figure from the four countries currently stands at 8,552 applicants.
The Service reiterated its commitment to providing responsive, accessible and efficient passport services to Nigerians in the diaspora.
It also assured applicants of continued efforts to ensure timely and convenient delivery of passports.
The statement was issued from the NIS Headquarters in Abuja on September 21, 2026.
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