Nigerian High Commission in UK Accused of Imposing Unapproved Passport Fees
A diaspora advocacy group has accused Nigeria's High Commission in London of charging additional fees not authorised by Abuja during a special passport intervention programme, raising concerns about transparency and acce
The Nigerian High Commission in the United Kingdom is facing allegations that it has imposed unauthorised additional charges on passport applicants, potentially undermining a Federal Government programme designed to ease document processing for Nigerians living abroad.
<cite index="26-1,26-2">The Nigerians in Diaspora Civic Forum accused the High Commission of charging extra fees during the special passport intervention programme, alleging the charges were not authorised by Nigeria's Ministry of Interior or the Nigeria Immigration Service</cite>. <cite index="26-2">The allegation was detailed in a statement signed by the Forum's spokesperson, Christopher Babafemi Akinola</cite>.
What the charges are
<cite index="26-3,26-4">Initial reports of additional charges led some Nigerians to believe the Ministry of Interior was responsible, but the Forum claims information indicates the charges originated from the Nigerian High Commission in the UK</cite>.
The controversy centres on <cite index="23-2">a special passport intervention exercise announced by the Nigeria Immigration Service for September 2026</cite>, intended to address longstanding processing backlogs affecting Nigerians in the diaspora.
<cite index="26-5">The Forum expressed concern that the development could undermine the purpose of the special passport intervention, which was designed to make passport processing easier for Nigerians living abroad</cite>.
Why this matters
For the estimated two million Nigerians living in the UK—the largest concentration of the Nigerian diaspora outside Nigeria—passport renewals are both essential and fraught. Delays and confusion over fees can leave people unable to travel, locked out of work permits, or stranded during family emergencies.
The dispute also exposes coordination gaps between Nigeria's diplomatic missions abroad and the agencies back home responsible for immigration services.
What happens next
<cite index="26-6">The Nigerians in Diaspora Civic Forum has called for greater coordination among the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Interior, Nigeria Immigration Service and the Nigerian High Commission in the UK to ensure the programme achieves its objectives</cite>.
<cite index="26-7">The Forum urged relevant authorities to resolve the dispute over the additional charges and ensure Nigerians in the diaspora have access to transparent, affordable and efficient passport services</cite>.
As of now, neither the High Commission nor the Ministry of Interior has publicly responded to the allegations. The special passport intervention exercise continues through September 2026.