Nigerians in the Diaspora have urged the Federal Government to take immediate action to resolve longstanding challenges associated with obtaining the National Identification Number (NIN) and Nigerian passports abroad.
The appeal was made by three Diaspora organisations—the International Advocacy for Human Rights and Anti-Corruption (IAHRAC), Concerned Nigerians in Germany, and the Nigeria Business Forum, Switzerland.
In a joint statement issued on Monday and signed by Okoro Akinyemi (IAHRAC), Lewis Ehiwario (Concerned Nigerians), and Dozie Ugochokwu (Nigeria Business Forum), the groups called on the government to urgently address persistent delays in NIN and passport processing.
According to the statement, the demand followed the release of a comprehensive report in Abuja on Monday, outlining the difficulties Nigerians overseas experience during enrolment and documentation. The report was compiled after extensive consultations with Diaspora communities across multiple countries.
The groups explained that the findings emerged from a strategic meeting and a cross-country survey conducted among Nigerians living in Europe and North America. They said the exercise was designed to identify recurring obstacles and document shared experiences across different jurisdictions.
“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.
They called for swift digitalisation and modernisation of both the NIN and passport systems, emphasising 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,” the statement added.
Citing a Diaspora-wide survey, the groups raised concerns about the current NIN registration model.
“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.
They stressed the need for a secure, fully digitalised NIN system that Nigerians worldwide can access without intermediaries.
The groups further recommended that embassies and consulates directly handle both NIN and passport services, and proposed establishing mobile registration units in major global cities to ease the travel burden on applicants.
