By Milton Tella – Nigeria High Commission in the United Kingdom urges its nationals to approach the embassy with a renewed confidence that standard services have improved and credibility has been restored.
The new administration at the Nigeria High commission is encouraging all Nigeria nationals in the UK to approach the embassy for passport services directly and desist from patronising unofficial agents or touts.
African Voice visited the High Commission on Tuesday, 15th June 2021, a day after the Nigeria Democracy Day holiday, which was observed in the UK, by the embassy staff. The assumption was that applicants would have gathered in large numbers, in a chaotic atmosphere, with applicants meant for Monday 14th June, and Tuesday 15th June attending for passport processing on the same day.
Apart from the minor skirmishes and hot exchanges between some of the applicants and the security men detailed to check that each applicant had the required date of appointment and correct documentation before gaining entry into the Mission, the activities of the immigration section ran very smoothly.
The officers and staff of the immigration section, appeared to have gotten a grip of the procedures, such that the passport processing and biometric capturing operations ran seamlessly in spite of the huge turn out of applicants.
In a chat with African Voice, Mr. Kibiya Bello, the Immigration Attaché said, “we are training our staff regularly on standard procedures, to ensure that passport processing and production are fast and efficient.”
During a tour of the passport production room with Mr. Bello, it was clear that all the staff were put on a target with everyone working efficiently with a single aim to reducing, the backlog of passports.
He said, “You would recall that since 31th March 2021, there was a backlog of 18,000 applications awaiting processing, which were accumulated between December 2019 and March 2021. Officers and staff of the Immigration Section, worked tirelessly to run a crash programme to reduce the backlog. Currently, the Mission has issued a total of 8,852 passports out of 9,964 passports that were captured from the backlog.”
“It is therefore entirely appropriate for us to ensure that we continue to improve and increase efficiency of our services to meet with global best practices.
We have to ensure that we serve applicants better. His Excellency, Ambassador, Sarafa Isola, Nigeria High Commissioner to the UK, has given us a mandate. He has set a high target, hence the re – introduction of the Fast-Track Services.”
Nigeria High Commission UK has appealed to all applicants visiting the Mission to exercise patience and orderliness when approaching the security personnel at the entrance of the embassy.
The Mission also commended all applicants who have followed laid down rules and due processes since the commencement of the new approach to service delivery.
Requirement for passport renewal
All applicants visiting the High Commission on an appointment date should go along with original old passport, copy of the online passport payment slip, copy of filled, dated and signed passport application form and a self – addressed recorded delivery pre-paid post office envelope.
Replacement of lost or damaged passport
Applicants requiring Emergency Travel Certificate (ETC) should visit the Nigeria High Commission London website for a list of requirements. http://www.nigeriahc.org.uk/fees-processing-online
Fast-Track Services
The introduction of Fast-Track Services is already delivering results in helping the Mission to clear the backlog of passport applications.
Those requiring Fast-Track Services are required to pay £100.00 (One Hundred Pounds). All payment must be in postal order clearly addressed to the Nigeria High Commission, London.
All other applicants visiting the Mission are also required to pay an administrative charge of £20.00 (also in postal order made payable to Nigeria High Commission London).
The new High Commissioner, His Excellency, Ambassador Sarafa Tunji Isola, in his two months in office has introduced a standard charter that the High Commission can now dispense new passports for those requesting fast track services in three days and standard application within ten working days.
Wrong Passport Data Entry/Data Change
Applicants who filled their names wrongly online will experience delay because correction has to be sent to Abuja, Nigeria. People should endeavour to fill the online form exactly as it appears on their passport. Where it says first name, please only enter first name. Then fill the middle name separately if applicable. Surname should be entered accurately as well. If changing surname by marriage or divorce, applicants are advised to use the new surname on the form (not the old names). If you require data change, use the new details on the online form as well (not the old ones).
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