The Federal Government has clarified that Nigerians in the United Kingdom applying for international passports under the ongoing special intervention exercise are not required to pay any additional fees beyond the approved passport charges.
The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, made the clarification following complaints over inconveniences experienced by Nigerians during the application and processing of their passports.
In a statement issued on Monday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Alao Babatunde, Tunji-Ojo said the intervention exercise was introduced to provide more options for Nigerians in the UK to process their passport applications.
According to the minister, applicants are required to pay only $150 for a five-year passport and $230 for a 10-year passport, excluding bank charges.
“Neither the Ministry of Interior nor the Nigeria Immigration Service has introduced any other charges outside the aforementioned,” he said.
Tunji-Ojo said the government was aware of the inconvenience experienced by some applicants and was taking steps to address the situation.
“Consultations are ongoing with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to ensure that any inconveniences during this process do not persist any longer,” he said.
The minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to improving services for Nigerians at home and abroad, stressing that the administration remained focused on providing relief and better access to government services.
“This government has demonstrated a high level of responsibility to Nigerians home and abroad, and remains committed to its promises of providing succour to all,” he said.
The ministry also advised applicants to take advantage of the contactless biometric passport application system, which is designed to make the passport application process more seamless.
The clarification is expected to help Nigerians in the UK distinguish between the approved passport fees and any unauthorised charges associated with the special intervention exercise.