By SUNTV Global Channel | September 8, 2026
The Nigerian High Commission in the United Kingdom has been accused of imposing unauthorised additional charges on Nigerians seeking to process or renew their international passports under the Federal Government’s special passport intervention programme.
The allegation was made by the Nigerians in Diaspora Civic Forum, which insisted that the Ministry of Interior and the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) were not responsible for the controversial extra fees reportedly being demanded from applicants.
The Forum said the additional charges were allegedly originating from the Nigerian High Commission in the United Kingdom and called on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to urgently address the situation.
In a statement issued by its spokesperson, Christopher Babafemi Akinola, the group expressed concern over what it described as the continued difficulties faced by Nigerians attempting to access passport services through the intervention programme.
According to the Forum, the special passport intervention initiative was introduced to provide Nigerians living in the UK with easier and more convenient options for obtaining or renewing their passports.
The group maintained that the programme was not designed to attract charges beyond the officially approved passport fees.
Under the approved fee structure, applicants are expected to pay $150 for a five-year passport and $230 for a 10-year passport, excluding applicable bank charges.
The Forum stated that neither the Ministry of Interior nor the Nigeria Immigration Service had introduced additional fees beyond the officially approved charges.
It further argued that many Nigerians initially blamed the Ministry of Interior for the extra costs but claimed that available information indicated that the charges were being imposed at the High Commission level.
The group explained that while passport issuance within Nigeria falls under the Ministry of Interior and the Nigeria Immigration Service, consular operations abroad involve the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Nigerian diplomatic missions.
It alleged that some of the additional payments, including postal orders payable to the Nigerian High Commission, were outside the officially announced passport fees.
The Forum therefore called on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to provide clarity on the matter and ensure that Nigerians in the diaspora are not subjected to unnecessary financial burdens.
It also urged greater collaboration between the Ministry of Interior, the Nigeria Immigration Service, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Nigerian High Commission in London to resolve the controversy.
The group noted that the special passport intervention programme had reportedly worked successfully in countries including the United States and Canada, describing the situation in the United Kingdom as an exception requiring urgent attention.
The controversy comes after the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, clarified that the Federal Government had not approved additional charges for Nigerians participating in the special passport intervention exercise in the UK.
According to a statement issued by the minister’s spokesperson, the intervention programme was introduced to provide applicants with additional options and reduce the difficulties associated with passport processing.
The Ministry of Interior reiterated that the official charges remain $150 for a five-year passport and $230 for a 10-year passport, excluding bank charges.
It added that consultations were ongoing with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to address the challenges being experienced by Nigerians applying for passports in the United Kingdom.
The Nigerians in Diaspora Civic Forum has called for urgent intervention and transparency, insisting that the special passport programme should ease the burden on Nigerians abroad rather than create additional financial difficulties.
SUNTV Global Channel will continue to monitor developments and official responses regarding the passport fee controversy.
