The Nigerian Embassy in Doha, Qatar, has reduced passport processing time to about two weeks after biometric capture, amid rising demand for renewal and issuance by Nigerians in the Gulf country.
The embassy disclosed this in a report made available to newsmen on Monday in Abuja.
It said the improvement followed a dedicated Passport Intervention exercise conducted between August 11 and August 21, which serviced 751 Nigerians.
According to the report, 441 applicants requested five-year passports, while 310 applied for 10-year passports.
The embassy said distribution of the printed passports began on September 18, less than a month after the biometric capture exercise ended.
Nigerian Ambassador to Qatar, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, described the turnaround as evidence of the mission’s efforts to improve consular services and respond to the needs of Nigerians in the diaspora.
“This is a significant milestone for our embassy and, most importantly, for Nigerians living in Qatar. The fact that passports are now being completed and returned within about two weeks of capture demonstrates our commitment to improving service delivery and responding to the needs of our community,” Yakubu said.
He noted that passports were essential to Nigerians abroad for international travel, employment, residency and other official requirements.
“We recognise the importance of passports to our citizens, particularly for international travel, employment, residency and other official requirements. We will continue to work to ensure that Nigerians receive the services they need in a timely and transparent manner,” he added.
Members of the Nigerian community in Qatar welcomed the development, particularly those whose passports are required for international travel, employment, residency and other official purposes.
The intervention exercise was organised specifically to facilitate passport renewal and issuance for Nigerians resident in Qatar in response to the growing demand for consular services.
For many Nigerians living abroad, passport services are among the most important functions provided by diplomatic missions. Delays in obtaining or renewing passports can affect travel plans and other administrative processes. The faster turnaround recorded in Doha, therefore represents a practical improvement in consular support.
The Embassy’s initiative further reinforces its focus on strengthening service delivery and improving the experience of Nigerians seeking consular assistance in Qatar.
Discover more from TheTimes Nigeria
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
