The Nigeria High Commission in London has clarified that Nigerians who paid a £70 administrative fee during the ongoing passport intervention exercise will be refunded £50, reaffirming that the approved administrative charge is £20.
The clarification followed concerns over the higher amount paid by some applicants during the exercise, which was organised to address passport-related needs among Nigerians in the United Kingdom.
In a public notice dated Friday, September 11, the High Commission said claims that a £70 administrative fee had received presidential approval were incorrect.
It stated that the standard administrative charge approved by the Federal Government remains £20.
The mission had earlier announced that applicants who paid £70 would receive a £50 refund, effectively bringing the amount paid in line with the approved £20 administrative fee.
The clarification comes after both the Federal Government and the Nigeria Immigration Service denied introducing additional charges for the intervention exercise.
The passport intervention, which was initially scheduled to end on September 19, has now been extended to October 3 in London and Manchester following a high turnout of applicants.
The Nigeria Immigration Service said 1,477 Nigerians were successfully processed and enrolled within the first four days of the exercise.
The extension is expected to provide additional opportunity for Nigerians who have yet to access the intervention service to complete the process.
The High Commission’s clarification is also aimed at addressing confusion over the fee structure and distinguishing the approved administrative charge from the amount paid by some applicants.
The mission reiterated that the £20 administrative fee remains the standard approved charge, while those who paid the higher £70 amount are entitled to the £50 refund.
The development comes as Nigerian authorities continue efforts to respond to passport-related challenges affecting citizens in the diaspora, particularly amid increased demand for consular and immigration services.
