Nigeria Embassy in Qatar Cuts Passport Processing Time to 2 Weeks

The Nigerian Embassy in Qatar has reduced the processing time for passport applications and renewals to about two weeks following a dedicated intervention exercise in Doha.

The 10-day passport intervention exercise, held from August 11 to 21, 2026, saw embassy officials process applications for 751 Nigerian nationals.

Of the applications processed, 441 were for five-year passports, while 310 were for 10-year passports.

Distribution of the completed passports commenced on September 18, less than a month after applicants underwent biometric capture.

The development means applicants are now able to receive their passports significantly earlier than the typical processing period for diplomatic missions.

Nigeria’s Ambassador to Qatar, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, described the faster turnaround as a major milestone in the mission’s efforts to improve consular services.

“The fact that passports are now being completed and returned within about two weeks of capture demonstrates our commitment to improving service delivery and responding to the needs of our community,” Yakubu said.

He added that the mission recognises the importance of valid passports to Nigerians living abroad, particularly for international travel, employment and maintaining residency status.

The initiative comes amid increasing demand for consular services from the growing Nigerian community in Qatar.

The embassy said the intervention was part of efforts to make passport services more efficient and responsive to the needs of Nigerians in the Gulf country.