From long queues to doorstep delivery: Nigeria’s passport reform transforms lives in the UK

For Nigerians in the United Kingdom, the once-dreaded task of renewing a passport has transformed into a remarkably smooth experience. Previously, the process was synonymous with long waits, costly travel, and persistent uncertainty. Many resigned themselves to the inevitable delays and endless follow-ups associated with government services back home.

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His previous passport renewal took more than six months from application to collection. The process required travelling from Birmingham to London for biometrics and enduring lengthy delays before the document was eventually issued.

However, claims of a new contactless passport renewal system, promising home-based applications and doorstep delivery within days, initially met with skepticism. This reporter traveled across the UK, from Birmingham to London, speaking with Nigerians who had navigated the reformed system. The accounts were consistently positive, painting a picture of satisfaction rather than the usual complaints.

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According to him, the passport arrived in less than two weeks.

Community leader Timileyin Gbenga in Birmingham shared his starkly different experiences. His last renewal took over six months, involving travel to London for biometrics and significant delays. In contrast, a recent renewal for a family member using the new contactless system arrived in under two weeks. This dramatic shift highlights the reform's success in overcoming the long-standing obstacle of distance for Nigerians in the diaspora.

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She said she received her passport roughly a week after applying and was so impressed by the process that she encouraged a friend to abandon plans to travel to London and instead apply online.

Adeku Adeola Victoria in Essex described completing her renewal entirely online, receiving her passport in about a week. She was so impressed that she advised a friend to forgo travel to London and apply online instead, with her friend also receiving the passport within two weeks. Similarly, Adiku Adeyemi in Newport, South Wales, reported his wife's passport was delivered directly to their home just days after registration. The widespread positive feedback underscores a significant improvement in service delivery, transforming a once arduous process into one of convenience and efficiency.

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The document, he said, was delivered directly to their home just days after registration.