By Sulyman Gobir
The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo has assured Nigerians in the United Kingdom that the ongoing special passport intervention exercise will not attract any charges beyond the official fees.
A statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media, Alao Babatunde disclosed that the Minister said the intervention was introduced to ease the difficulties faced by Nigerians in the UK seeking to process their passports.
Tunji-Ojo clarified that applicants will only pay the approved rates:
*$150* for a 5-year passport
*$230* for a 10-year passport
Bank charges excluded
“It is necessary to clarify that this process does not come with extra cost different from the official fees…Neither the Ministry of Interior nor the Nigeria Immigration Service has introduced any other charges outside the aforementioned,” the Minister stated.
The Minister acknowledged the “inconveniences” experienced by Nigerians in the UK and said the intervention was designed to provide more accessible options for passport application and processing.
He added that the Ministry of Interior is in ongoing consultations with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to ensure a smoother process and eliminate further delays.
“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,” Tunji-Ojo said.
Nigerians in the UK were encouraged to take advantage of the seamless, contactless biometric passport application system introduced under the intervention exercise.
