Nigerian high commission in London suspends passport application issuance due to coronavirus

NIGERIA'S high commission in the UK has followed the lead of the American embassy in Washington and suspended the issuance of passports until further notice in response to the spread of the dreaded coronavirus pandemic sweeping the globe.

On Sunday, the Nigerian embassy in Washington announced that as from yesterday, all interviews and biometric data capture will be suspended until further notice. However, emergency travel certificates (ETC) will continue to be issued out to those who need to travel urgently via mail. 

According to the US mission, ETC applicants are now required to forward their applications through mail, attaching the relevant documents and a self-addressed mailing envelope. In London, the high commission has adopted a similar stance, announcing that as from Wednesday March 18, it will be shut for the issuance of passports to protect staff and members of the public.

Rose Yakowa-Okoh, the head of chancery at the London high commission, said that as from tomorrow, the issuance of passports will be suspended in line with recommendations from the UK government. She added that anyone interested anyone interested in getting ETC documents, however, should contact the mission via either email or telephone.

Applicants have been asked to email either immigrationattache@nigeriahc.org.uk, welfareeducation@nigeriahc.org.uk or chancery@nigeriahc.otg.uk. Alternatively, they can ring the immigration section on 07495 061238 or 07535 322077, the consular section on 07930 442416 or the head of chancery on 07495 061754.