Nigerian Immigration Service Registers 8,552 Citizens in Diaspora

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has confirmed the successful enrolment of 8,552 Nigerian citizens during special passport intervention programmes conducted across the United States, Canada, Qatar, and the United Kingdom. This update was provided on Monday by DCI Akinsola Akinlabi, the Service Public Relations Officer, in an official statement.

These exercises were initiated following a directive from the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, with the primary objective of enhancing passport service delivery to Nigerians residing abroad. The goal was to extend these vital services closer to their communities in the diaspora. The NIS highlighted that these interventions were collaborative efforts, executed in partnership with Nigerian diplomatic missions and representatives from Nigerian communities in the respective host countries.

A detailed breakdown of the enrolment figures shows that 535 Nigerians participated in the exercise held in Chicago, Michigan, and Milwaukee, United States, between September 7 and 15, 2026. In Canada, a total of 2,257 Nigerians were registered across various cities including Manitoba, Toronto, Saskatoon, Alberta, and New Brunswick, with sessions running from September 6 to 19. Qatar saw 751 Nigerians enrolled during its intervention period from August 9 to 24. The United Kingdom recorded the highest participation, with 5,099 Nigerians processed in London and Manchester as part of an ongoing exercise.

The Service noted that the registration process in the UK is still active, with “passport production and dispatch being carried out concurrently.” For those who could not secure appointment slots during the physical exercises, or individuals who prefer not to visit centres or the High Commission in person, the statement encouraged them to “utilise the Contactless Passport Application System.” The NIS reaffirmed its unwavering dedication to delivering accessible, efficient, and timely passport services to all Nigerian nationals living outside the country.