Diaspora Nigerians Hail Contactless Passport Renewal, Processing Time Drops to Five Days

Nigerians residing in the United Kingdom have lauded the federal government's contactless passport renewal initiative, reporting that it has effectively ended years of frustrating delays and cumbersome procedures. Previously, applicants faced waits of several months and often had to travel long distances to renew their passports.

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I had to travel from Birmingham to London to the Nigerian High Commission for biometrics and from the time I applied online to when I got my passport, it took more than six months. But when I used the contactless process for a family member, it took less than two weeks from application to delivery.

The digital system, introduced by the Federal Ministry of Interior and the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), has drastically cut processing times. What once took over six months now takes between five days and two weeks. This allows Nigerians abroad to complete renewals from home and receive their passports via mail. The system, initially launched in Canada and extended to the UK and other countries, enables remote application and biometric submissions through a mobile app, eliminating the need for in-person visits to Nigerian missions.

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That is the change we are all looking for. We need to appreciate this initiative and the reforms.

Community leaders and residents shared their positive experiences. Timileyin Gbenga, a Nigerian community leader in Birmingham, contrasted the old system, which took over six months and required travel to London for biometrics, with the new contactless process that delivered a passport in under two weeks. He attributed this transformation to reforms spearheaded by the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, under President Bola Tinubu's administration.

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A couple of years ago, we were experiencing a very funny process – analogue and backward. But now you can stay in the comfort of your home, make applications and get your passport at your doorstep without stress. Within just two weeks, I had my passport. That is what technology and innovation do.

Gbenga Ogunderu, another UK-based Nigerian, described the change as a transition from an outdated, analogue system to a technology-driven service. He noted the convenience of applying from home and receiving the passport at one's doorstep within two weeks. Dr. Adekunle Shonola, a senior lecturer and president of Nigerians living in Coventry, echoed these sentiments, calling the reform a major leap in efficiency. He stated that Nigeria's current passport renewal process is now comparable to those in advanced countries.

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I remember when we used to travel all the way from Coventry to London just to capture biometrics and then go back again to collect our passports. It usually took more than six months. Nowadays, I have seen members of our community get their passports within one week.