For anyone that has tried this process, it can be very frustrating. For whatever reason, information is scarce on the actual things you need to successfully carry it out, so I have decided to share a how to process to help anyone in the UK who may need a Nigerian passport renewed.
1. Secure an appointment
First things first – secure an appointment date on the website: https://portal.immigration.gov.ng
It’s important you get an appointment ahead because it’s essential that you bring a print out of your appointment slip to be granted entry – and appointment dates are disappearing fast, as at when this article was written the next available date was 3 months away. Also, be sure to pick between 9-11am, as although there’s an option for 1.30pm on the website, the actual High Commission closes at 1pm. (Yeah, I know, but that’s Nigeria being itself). Also Fridays are their busiest days, Mondays are much quieter, but choose as it suits you, and be prepared to wait several hours.
2. Get Your NIN
Right so now that you know when you’re going, make sure you have NIN. NIN is the Nigerian national identity number. Many people have registered for it beforehand whilst in Nigeria and so you will need to retrieve it. From a Nigerian MTN/Glo/9mobile/Airtel SIM card that was registered for NIN – dial *346# – this will work even if you put your Nigerian sim in your phone here in the UK. Just make sure you top up the SIM card with like 100 Naira and it should work.
If however, you have never registered for NIN before, I’m afraid you’ll have to pay £50 cash at the NIN Office for enrollment. You’ll also need to keep contacting them for updates on your application as some applications tend to fall through the cracks (like mine did. Took them one month of continuous calling, however the NIMC Server did crash for two weeks in this time. If we’re speaking frankly, the Nation’s data system shouldn’t have been unsecured for that long, but that’s another issue altogether).
The office takes walk in, no appointments. Address: Golden Cross House, 8 Duncannon Street, London WC2N 4JF.
3. Print out all your forms
So once you have NIN, you are ready to get set for your application. Every form that you fill on the aforementioned link – you must print out. Print the filled application form, the payment acknowledgment slip and the appointment date.
4. Raise a postal order
Then, go to any post office and request for a £20 postal order addressed to the Nigeria High Commission. Also purchase a C4 Special delivery envelope which is what they will mail your new passport to you with.
5. Get there early
Once you have an appointment date, you can come at any time between 9am-1pm as it’s a first come first serve basis – for those with an appointment date. So even if it says 11am is the only slot on the day you want to visit, you can show up earlier and join the long queue outside, earlier the better.
And that’s it! I wish you all the best of luck 🙂
Till next time,
Dr ETP xo
