My Shocking Experience with the International Passport Renewal Process in Nigeria

Quick Guide to Getting Your International Passport in Nigeria

Key Points:

• The article describes a personal experience of renewing an international passport in Nigeria.
• It details the challenges faced during the renewal process and provides tips on how to expedite the process.
• The importance of connections and financial readiness for the passport application process is emphasized.

Hi there! Today, I want to share my story of renewing my international passport in Nigeria.

Now, you might find it hard to believe, but it took me a full five months to get my renewed passport, even though I had paid for a fast service.

But don’t worry, I’ll tell you everything you need to know to get your passport much quicker than I did, potentially in just a few days!

Challenges Faced

Sadly, in Nigeria, some things that should be straightforward often become quite challenging.

This is why many people, especially those less fortunate, view these straightforward tasks as luxuries.

My own passport expired in late 2021, and I began the renewal process in 2022. I visited the immigration office on February 1, 2022, to get it renewed.

They informed me that the cost was 30,000 naira (about $75), and I wanted it as fast as possible.

They told me that for a quick, two-day service, I had to pay an extra 20,000 naira (about $50).

So, I ended up paying a total of 50,000 naira, expecting to receive my passport within a week.

However, a week passed, and there was no good news.

They started saying that they had issues with the booklets, with different excuses coming up each time. At the end of two months, they asked for another 20,000 naira, saying the initial amount wasn’t enough.

I declined and requested a refund for the express service fee, which they agreed to give.

Yet, because I needed the passport urgently, I ended up paying the extra amount, bringing my total to 70,000 naira (about $175).

Still, the excuses continued, and the passport didn’t arrive.

Learning from Others

One of my neighbors, who knew about my situation, shared his experience.

He applied for and received his passport on the same day, but it cost him 140,000 naira (about $350), almost twice what I paid.

This was shocking!

When I contacted the immigration officer handling my case about this, he shrugged it off, saying he didn’t process my neighbor’s passport.

It was clear that while some people could get their passports quickly, others had to wait, even though everyone was paying.

After five long months, on July 27, 2022, I finally received my international passport, feeling as though I’d wasted my money on express delivery that wasn’t express at all.

Practical Advice

Here’s what you should take away from my experience: if you want to get your international passport quickly in Nigeria, especially in the south or east, you need connections.

Look for people who received their passport quickly and ask them to connect you with the person who processed theirs.

If you have 120,000 to 170,000 naira (about $300-$425) ready, you should be able to get your passport within a day or two.

Also, strangely enough, some good-looking girls have told me they got their passports easily, even without paying for express service!

Conclusion

I hope my experience and tips help you or someone you know who wants to apply for or renew an international passport in Nigeria.

And hey, if you found this article useful, please subscribe to my YouTube channel. Your support will mean the world to me as I work towards hitting milestones of 10,000, 30,000, 50,000, and even a million subscribers! Thank you so much for reading, and see you in the next one!

Table: International Passport Renewal Process in Nigeria

(Note: 1 USD ≈ 400 Naira as of my experience in 2022. Check for current exchange rates.)