The Nigerian Embassy in Qatar has reduced passport processing time to about two weeks following a 10-day intervention exercise in Doha.
According to The PUNCH, the embassy processed 751 passport applications between August 11 and 21, 2026, during the exercise.
The applications included 441 requests for five-year passports and 310 applications for 10-year passports.
The embassy began distributing the completed passports on September 18, less than one month after the biometric capture exercise ended.
Embassy speeds up passport services
Nigeria’s Ambassador to Qatar, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, described the development as a major improvement in the mission’s 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 explained that valid passports remain important to Nigerians living in Qatar because they affect international travel, employment and residency status.
The embassy introduced the intervention as demand for consular services increased among Nigerians living in the Gulf state.
751 Nigerians benefit from exercise
The mission said the dedicated processing period allowed officials to handle hundreds of applications within a short time.
In addition, faster production and distribution reduced the waiting period for applicants who needed their passports for travel, work or residency purposes.
The intervention also allowed applicants to receive their documents earlier than they would under regular diplomatic processing arrangements.
Embassy targets better consular services
The mission said passport issuance and renewal remain among its key responsibilities to Nigerians living in Qatar.
Officials added that the latest exercise reflects efforts to improve the speed and quality of consular services.
For applicants who participated in the Doha intervention, the start of passport distribution on September 18 marked the final stage of the process.
The embassy said it would continue working to make passport services easier and faster for Nigerians resident in Qatar.
