Nigerians living in the Diaspora have called on the Federal Government to urgently address persistent challenges in obtaining National Identification Numbers (NIN) and Nigerian passports abroad.
The appeal was made on Monday by three Diaspora groups—the International Advocacy for Human Rights and Anti-Corruption (IAHRAC), Concerned Nigerians in Germany, and the Nigeria Business Forum, Switzerland—in a joint statement signed by Okoro Akinyemi, Lewis Ehiwario, and Dozie Ugochukwu.
The groups said the call followed the release of a detailed report compiled in Abuja after consultations with Nigerian communities across Europe and North America. The report highlighted recurring obstacles faced by Nigerians overseas in accessing NIN and passport services.
“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 statement said.
The Diaspora organizations urged the government to digitalize and modernize NIN and passport systems, increase funding for foreign missions, upgrade equipment, deploy more staff, and provide clear immigration guidelines. They also recommended simultaneous processing of NIN and passport services at embassies to reduce duplication and logistical complications.
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The groups criticized the overreliance on private agents, saying it has led to inconsistent procedures, high fees, and widespread dissatisfaction among Nigerians seeking identification services abroad. They called for a fully digitalized, secure NIN system accessible without intermediaries.
Additionally, the groups proposed that embassies and consulates directly manage NIN and passport services, and suggested the creation of mobile registration units in major global cities to ease access for Nigerians overseas.
The appeal underscores growing frustration among Nigerians abroad over bureaucratic delays and inefficiencies in accessing essential identity and travel documents.