{
  "id": 8658887,
  "title": "NIS enrols over 5,000 Nigerians in UK passport drive",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/20/nis-enrols-over-5-000-nigerians-in-uk-passport-drive-8658887",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-20T09:50:43.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Punch",
    "slug": "punch",
    "url": "https://punchng.com/nis-enrols-over-5000-nigerians-in-uk-passport-drive/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has enrolled a further 516 Nigerians in its Special Passport Intervention Exercise across centres in London and Manchester, raising the total number of applicants to 5,099 since the programme commenced on 7 September 2026. On Day 12 of the exercise, the NIS reported that 370 individuals applied in Manchester, while 146 applied in London.\n\nThe NIS confirmed that the passport production and dispatch for previously enrolled candidates are proceeding smoothly. The exercise, initiated by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, aims to address the backlog of new passport applications, renewals, and pending cases for Nigerians residing in the UK. Due to high demand, the operation was extended beyond the originally planned mid-September end date in both London and Manchester.\n\nApplicants are encouraged to continue cooperating with NIS officials and book appointments through official channels, presenting all required documentation at the designated centres.",
  "summary": "The Nigeria Immigration Service has enrolled a total of 5,099 applicants in its special passport intervention exercise for Nigerians in the United Kingdom. Read More: https://punchng.com/nis-enrols-over-5000-nigerians-in-uk-passport-drive/",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Punch Nigeria",
        "title": "NIS enrols over 5,000 Nigerians in UK passport drive",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/20/nis-enrols-over-5-000-nigerians-in-uk-passport-drive",
        "published": "2026-09-20T09:22:41.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}