Nigerians living abroad have called on the Federal Government to address the persistent issues associated with obtaining National Identification Numbers and Nigerian passports abroad.
The Nigerians, under the aegis of the International Advocacy for Human Rights and Anti-Corruption, Concerned Nigerians in Germany, and the Nigeria Business Forum, Switzerland, seek immediate action but the government to address the delays affecting NIN and passport processing.
This demand was contained in a statement jointly signed by Okoro Akinyemi of IAHRAC, Lewis Ehiwario of Concerned Nigerians, and Dozie Ugochokwu of the Nigeria Business Forum.
The groups revealed the demands became necessary after a strategic meeting and a cross-country survey conducted among Nigerians living in Europe and North America.
According to the statement, “Nigerians abroad frequently face prolonged delays and additional travel burdens while trying to obtain or verify their NIN. Many applicants reported systemic obstacles that make timely processing extremely difficult.”
The groups called for urgent digitalisation and modernisation of the NIN and passport systems, stressing the need for improved funding for foreign missions, upgraded equipment, increased staffing, and clearer immigration guidelines.
“Nigerians abroad should be able to access both services simultaneously at embassies to reduce duplication, stress and unnecessary logistical complications.
“Embassies require strengthened digital infrastructure capable of managing increased service demand and expanded responsibilities.
“Overreliance on private agents has resulted in inconsistent procedures, high fees and widespread dissatisfaction among Nigerians seeking reliable identification services abroad.
“Irregular fees, unpredictable processing timelines and inadequate oversight have fuelled concerns about possible exploitation,” the statement noted.
The groups stressed the need for a secure, fully digitalised NIN system that Nigerians worldwide can access without intermediaries.
They further recommended that embassies and consulates directly handle NIN and passport services, and proposed the creation of mobile registration units across major global cities to reduce travel burdens for applicants.
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