The Nigeria High Commission in London has addressed concerns regarding the £70 administrative fee that some Nigerians paid during the ongoing passport intervention exercise, clarifying that this fee was not sanctioned by the Federal Government. The High Commission emphasized that the standard administrative charge remains at £20.

This clarification follows a recent announcement by the mission that applicants who had paid the £70 fee would receive a £50 refund, retaining the standard fee of £20. In a notice published on its website, the High Commission stated, "This is to inform all passport intervention applicants who have paid a £70 admin fee that £50 will be refunded to you, £20 being the standard admin fee."

The High Commission's statement, dated September 11, aimed to dispel rumors and misinformation circulating about the fees associated with the passport intervention exercise. It categorically stated that any claims suggesting that the £70 fee had received presidential approval were false, reiterating that the approved administrative charge is £20. However, the statement did not clarify how the higher fee was initially applied.

The Federal Government has also weighed in on the matter, denying the introduction of any additional charges for the passport intervention exercise. On September 8, the Interior Ministry confirmed that applicants should only pay the official passport fees along with any applicable bank charges. The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) echoed this sentiment on September 11, stating that no extra charges were necessary to participate in the intervention exercise.

Originally set to conclude on September 19, the intervention exercise has been extended to October 3 due to a significant turnout of applicants. The NIS reported that within the first four days of the initiative, 1,477 Nigerians had been processed and enrolled, with more than half of the passports already produced and dispatched.

Despite the progress, the exercise has not been without its challenges. Many Nigerians in the UK have expressed dissatisfaction with the passport processing, citing delays, high fees, and operational difficulties. Complaints have also emerged regarding poor communication from the High Commission, making it hard for applicants to reach out for assistance.

In response to the growing concerns, the High Commission has disassociated itself from any misleading publications and urged the public to disregard information not communicated through its official channels. The mission reaffirmed its commitment to providing efficient services to Nigerians seeking assistance with passport issues.