The Nigeria Immigration Service has registered 8,552 Nigerians through passport intervention exercises conducted across the United States, Canada, Qatar and the United Kingdom.
The NIS disclosed this in a statement issued on Monday by its Service Public Relations Officer, DCI Akinsola Akinlabi.
The intervention exercises, carried out following a directive from the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, were aimed at improving access to passport services for Nigerians living abroad.
According to the Service, the exercises were organised in partnership with Nigerian diplomatic missions and representatives of Nigerian communities in the affected countries.
A breakdown showed that 535 Nigerians were enrolled during the exercise held in Chicago, Michigan and Milwaukee in the United States between September 7 and 15.
In Canada, 2,257 Nigerians were enrolled during exercises conducted in Manitoba, Toronto, Saskatoon, Alberta and New Brunswick between September 6 and 19.
The NIS said 751 Nigerians were also registered in Qatar during an exercise held between August 9 and 24.
The United Kingdom recorded the highest number, with 5,099 Nigerians enrolled in London and Manchester during the ongoing exercise.
Akinlabi said the UK exercise was still in progress, with passport production and dispatch taking place alongside the registration process.
He said, “Applicants who were unable to secure appointment slots during the exercise, as well as those who may prefer not to physically visit the centres or the High Commission, are encouraged to utilise the Contactless Passport Application System.”
The Service reiterated its commitment to making passport services more accessible, efficient and timely for Nigerians residing outside the country.
