Over 500 Nigerians residing in Qatar have been left stranded for more than five months after paying N315,000 each for passport renewal services through the Nigerian Embassy in Doha. Despite assurances, no passports have been issued, and frustrations are mounting among the affected diaspora.
A senior government official has now clarified that the Nigerian Ministry of Interior — not the Ministry of Foreign Affairs — is responsible for the scandalous delay. According to the source, the entire passport processing system is overseen by the Interior Ministry through the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), while embassies only host immigration personnel and provide logistical support.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs does not handle passport or visa issuance. That responsibility lies solely with the Ministry of Interior and the Immigration Service. Embassies only host the immigration officers deployed by Interior,” the official stated.
This revelation places the blame for the failed passport renewals squarely on the shoulders of the Interior Ministry and the Nigeria Immigration Service, both of which have come under heavy criticism from Nigerians in Qatar who feel defrauded by their own government.
Many victims described the situation as an “official scam,” lamenting how the embassy collected their biometrics and payment in February 2025 after flying in immigration officers, only for the process to stall indefinitely. Despite repeated inquiries, applicants say they have received no clear answers, refunds, or passport deliveries.
“We followed all instructions and paid directly to the embassy. But for five months, we’ve heard nothing. This isn’t just delay—it’s fraud,” one affected Nigerian said.
Another Nigerian explained the severe consequences of the delay, including job losses, frozen bank accounts, and being unable to return home due to expired passports.
“We can’t apply for better jobs or travel. Our lives are on hold. Many people are now in financial crisis because of this delay,” he added.
Following widespread outrage, a spokesperson from the Nigeria Immigration Service, Akinsola Akinlabi, responded briefly, saying he was reviewing the matter and would reply later. However, at the time of this report, no official response has been issued.
An anonymous official from the NIS, however, admitted to technical “glitches” in the process and promised that the passports would be ready “within the next two weeks.”
This passport scandal has highlighted deep-rooted administrative failures within Nigeria’s immigration system and the lack of accountability in providing essential services to citizens abroad.
Source: Sahara Reporters
