The Nigerian High Commission in the United Kingdom has slashed the controversial administrative fee attached to its ongoing passport intervention exercise from £70 to £20, following mounting protests and scrutiny over the additional charge.
The reduction was effected on Wednesday and reflected on the commission’s website, although applicants were reportedly not formally informed of the change.
The development followed a report by another news media, TheCable, exposing the £70 administrative charge imposed on Nigerians seeking urgent passport renewals during the exercise.
The charge had raised concerns because an earlier directive issued under former President Muhammadu Buhari reportedly limited fees that Nigerian diplomatic missions could impose for making their premises available for passport intervention exercises to £20.
TheCable further reported that the £70 charge had not received approval from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, while applicants with lost passports were allegedly required to pay £150.
Thousands Affected By Fee At Capacity-Stretched Exercise
The intervention exercise attracted thousands of Nigerians across the UK who had secured appointments through the High Commission’s online portal to obtain or renew their passports.
According to the report, fees had been collected from about 3,000 applicants, despite the facility reportedly having the capacity to accommodate fewer than 300 people daily.
Although the High Commission has now reduced the charge to £20, the development has not fully resolved concerns, as the revised fee reportedly remains at odds with the separate £20 administrative charge stipulated under the earlier directive.
Officials involved in the exercise were quoted as saying the High Commission had requested the additional payment to facilitate the intervention and generate revenue.
Interior Minister Says He Was Unaware Of The Charge
Meanwhile, Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has expressed concern over the difficulties faced by Nigerians attempting to renew their passports in the UK, saying he was unaware of any approved administrative fee of the nature allegedly demanded by officials.
He added that consultations were ongoing with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to resolve the challenges.
The controversy arose shortly after the Nigerian High Commission in London announced on Tuesday the suspension of biometric capture for the passport intervention exercise in the city, directing applicants to alternative centres to continue their scheduled appointments.
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