By Milton Tella – The Nigeria High Commission London has reaffirmed the Mission’s commitment to ensure its services are in line with international standards. The hassle usually associated with obtaining a Nigerian passport at the embassy in London has become a thing of the past.
Most members of the Nigerian community in the UK, including notable faith leaders now publicly commend the courteous and efficient services they are currently receiving at the Nigeria High Commission London.
Yet, some Nigerians who contacted African Voice narrated the difficulty experienced during the online passport application and payment process.
This article is therefore intended to provide a simple step by step guide to making the Nigeria passport application and payment process through the Nigeria Immigration Service website.
Step1.
Visit the website: https://portal.immigration.gov.ng/
And select if you are renewing or applying for the first time.
Step 2. Proceed to fill the online form using your email, preferably yahoo or Google emails.
Step 3. It will redirect you to innovate1 Payment portal to make payment and print payment slip, acknowledgment and form.
Step 4. Note if there are multiple applications and one of the surnames is different, payment will be denied and you’ll be required to register your card with innovate1 and they will authorise your card after a few days.
Step 5. Please note that when filling your billing address, don’t make a space in the postcode. It should be one word like this SW97AP (not this SW9 7AP).
The Nigeria High Commission London has promised to improve its website to make it more user friendly. Kindly forward your thoughts, observation and suggestions to publiccomplaints@nigeriahc.org.uk
His Excellency, Ambassador Sarafa Tunji Isola, Nigeria High Commissioner to the UK, has made a significant difference to the work ethics of the staff since his administration came into office in May 2021.
Ambassador Isola in an exclusive chat with African Voice said, “l am determined to ensure that all hindrances to passport issuance in London are totally removed.
There should be no reason why a Nigerian passport cannot be delivered to the homes of applicants with 72 hours after biometric capture.”
His Excellency has indeed achieved this unimaginable feat within the few months in office. There have been confirmations of passports delivered to applicants within a couple of days after their visit to the Mission.
In a letter of appreciation addressed to Ambassador Isola for his innovative service, Rev. (Dr) Ebenezer Ajitena, General Overseer, Cliwom Sanctuary of Praise wrote: “I was at the Nigeria House on Tuesday, the 3rd of August 2021 with my wife to process the renewal of our passports. Someone came to us interacting freely with all the people on the queue, spent some time with my wife and myself and we were shocked sir, when you introduced yourself to us as our High Commissioner. What an awesome humility from a great leader, that His Excellency the High Commissioner can stand outside and discuss freely with us is amazing. To this l say thank you very much indeed sir.
Secondly, l sincerely appreciate the highly organised leadership skills demonstrated by the staff. We enjoyed prompt attention and friendly atmosphere. At the completion of the whole process that day, we were told to expect our passports within a short time. Having heard this, we were expecting to receive the passports within two weeks but to our utmost amazement, we received the passports on Thursday morning, that is, 5th August 2021, in less than 72 hours – this is an incredible innovation sir.
On behalf of myself and my wife, all others who have enjoyed the same effective service, l express our profound gratitude and appreciation for the great innovative leadership of His Excellency, the High Commissioner and the entire team sir, Thank you very much indeed, Your Excellency Sir. With personal high regards please.”
The High Commissioner’s exceptional commitment to service to Nigerians in the UK, has continued to attract admiration and commendation from many British people of Nigeria descent. The demand for a Nigeria passport, has therefore risen as those who have given up hope of owning one due to the difficulties associated with the application process are now returning as applicants.
Ambassador Isola, who has vowed that immigration related issues alone will not define his tenure as the Nigeria High Commissioner to the UK, sets out the priorities of his country, when Hon Kate Osamor, MP, Chairman All Party Parliamentary Group on Nigeria paid him a courtesy visit. The duo had a meaningful engagement.
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