Can do soooooooo much better! NIS UK
January 2026: Passport expires in July 2026. Applied online and uploaded various docs. Paid $230 for 10yr and 90pager variant. Loading online biometrics was a challenge as app was not intuitive to use. Some might argue not a high value passport so why impose such hardship and bottleneck for what other countries execute so seamlessly. Why choose to inflict so much pain and agony on your UK based citizens. Makes me wonder if any research or benchmarking went into this App.
It turns out I cannot apply online as I am over 60yrs old. Apparently, only 18-60yr olds can apply for the full no-visit online option. If over 60, then you much come in physically. So, as you age gracefully, just pray you are able to lift yourself, jump in a cab, be able to take a train or bus and then attend. Perhaps, it is the same way other countries treat their elderly citizens. Why do the British and US etc models works and our appears to fall flat on its face?
Anyway, completed application online and was given a date in June - 4 months later!! Waited patiently whilst also prayed fervently that nothing will happen to my aged 94 year old mother back in Nigeria. On 1st June 2026, shockingly, I received an email, advising that my application has now been approved and I should proceed to book my appointment. What!! But I completed all that in Fen 2026 and I have my appointment date tomorrow. What are you guys talking about? Lol!!
The visit: So I jump on the train (2hrs) and take all my documents with me. Appointment for 11am buy arrived 10.45am. Collected tag number at entrance from Usher and proceeded to the basement. Now here is the kicker, your phone is collected at you arrive, placed in a pouch and then you will be given the pouch number. Why? Why are you collecting phones? Do you have anything to hide? Sometimes, negative publicity aids improvements for a country (embassy) willing to listen and improve.
Note this, throughout your stay there, you will not have access to your phones. There are not light refreshments other than a decrypt venting machine, which only works after 'prayers are said to it'...Lol!!
Conclusions: Nigeria is afraid to fully automate this NIS service properly, having not being in a position to appreciate its efficiencies. I guess by employing people with basic education (WAEC at best), who routinely do "the same thing" along the process determination chain, speaks volumes on how poorly paid staff are, and how much waste still exists in Nigeria.
Oh, nearly forgot! Yes, there is the matter of the £20 postal order. What the heck is this for? So after paying $230 for my passport which is for everything (as I would have when applying for my British Passport), I still need to pay you and extra £20 just so you do your job more 'administratively' and effectively. Just goes to show how far we have come as a country and how we pathetically guise and/or veil corruption in a new name. There can be no credible and logical justification for the collection of a £20 postal order....period!!
Finally, whilst I doubt it, I do sincerely hope NIS decision makes read this piece and make the changes needed to make this process hugely intuitive and seamless. My cynic side doubts it though but then, it wont come as much of a surprise. It's Nigeria innit!!
Sokii
