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The Nigerians in Diaspora Civic Forum has raised concerns over alleged additional charges imposed on Nigerians in the United Kingdom seeking to benefit from the Federal Government’s special passport intervention programme.
The group accused the Nigerian High Commission in the UK of introducing extra fees that it claimed were not authorised by either the Ministry of Interior or the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS).
In a statement signed by its spokesperson, Christopher Babafemi Akinola, the Forum said the development had generated confusion among Nigerians in the diaspora, with some applicants initially believing that the additional charges were introduced by the Ministry of Interior.
However, the group claimed that information available to it suggested that the charges originated from the Nigerian High Commission in the United Kingdom.
Concerns Over Extra Charges
According to the Nigerians in Diaspora Civic Forum, the alleged charges could create unnecessary financial pressure for Nigerians hoping to take advantage of the special passport intervention programme.
The intervention was introduced as part of efforts to make passport processing easier and more accessible for Nigerians living outside the country, particularly those who often face challenges in obtaining or renewing their travel documents.
The Forum expressed concern that imposing additional fees outside the officially approved charges could undermine the objectives of the programme.
It argued that Nigerians abroad should be clearly informed about all official passport processing fees and should not be required to pay charges that have not been approved by the relevant government authorities.
Group Seeks Clarity From Authorities
The group called for greater transparency regarding the implementation of the passport intervention programme and urged the relevant authorities to clarify the approved fees for applicants.
It also stressed the need for proper communication between the Ministry of Interior, the Nigeria Immigration Service and Nigerian diplomatic missions abroad to prevent confusion and ensure that Nigerians are not subjected to unnecessary charges.
The controversy has once again drawn attention to the challenges faced by Nigerians in the diaspora when accessing consular and immigration services.
As concerns over the alleged additional charges continue, attention may now turn to the Ministry of Interior, the Nigeria Immigration Service and the Nigerian High Commission in the United Kingdom for an official clarification on the matter.
The development is likely to be closely watched by Nigerians living in the UK, particularly those planning to take advantage of the Federal Government’s special passport intervention programme.
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