The Nigeria High Commission in the United Kingdom has reduced the administrative fee attached to its ongoing passport intervention exercise from £70 to £20, following complaints from Nigerians and scrutiny over the additional charge.
The new fee was published on the High Commission’s website on Wednesday, September 9. However, applicants were reportedly not directly informed about the adjustment.
The passport intervention exercise began on Monday and was designed to assist Nigerians seeking faster passport renewal services in the UK. Applicants booking appointments through the High Commission’s online platform were previously presented with the £70 administrative charge.
The fee had attracted criticism because of an earlier directive issued during the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari. The directive reportedly instructed Nigerian diplomatic missions not to charge more than £20 for making their facilities available for passport intervention exercises.
Reports also alleged that the £70 charge had not been approved by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Nigerians applying for replacement passports after losing their documents were reportedly charged £150.
Thousands of applicants affected
Officials familiar with the exercise reportedly said payments had been received from about 3,000 applicants, while the High Commission was said to have the capacity to accommodate fewer than 300 applicants each day.
The latest £20 intervention fee is reportedly separate from the £20 administrative charge contained in the earlier directive.
Some officials involved in the programme had alleged that the additional payment was intended to facilitate the intervention exercise and generate revenue.
Tunji-Ojo questions disputed charges
The controversy had earlier drawn the attention of the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, who expressed concern about the difficulties Nigerians encountered during the passport intervention exercise.
Tunji-Ojo also stated that the disputed administrative fees were not mandatory, while revealing that consultations were taking place with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to address the challenges associated with the programme.
The minister’s comments came amid growing complaints from Nigerians in the UK over the cost of accessing passport services and the difficulties surrounding the intervention exercise.
London biometric capturing suspended
The situation took another turn on Tuesday, September 8, when the Nigeria High Commission announced the suspension of biometric capturing in London.
Applicants affected by the suspension were directed to alternative centres to continue with their scheduled passport appointments.
The subsequent reduction of the intervention charge from £70 to £20 has provided some relief to applicants, but questions remain over the earlier payments and whether those who already paid the higher fee will receive refunds or any form of adjustment.
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