The Nigerian community in Qatar presented an award to the country’s ambassador in Doha, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, after passport processing times for diaspora citizens were swiftly reduced.

The Qatar chapter of the Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation (NIDO) conferred the recognition during a ceremony marking Nigeria’s 66th Independence Anniversary.

The event was attended by Qatari officials—including Ms. Kholoud Saif Al Kubaisi, Executive Director of the Workers Support and Insurance Fund under Qatar’s Ministry of Interior—alongside members of the international diplomatic corps.

The diaspora group highlighted that hundreds of Nigerians living in the Gulf state recently received newly issued passports within two weeks.

Express consular processing

Accepting the award, Ambassador Yakubu credited Nigeria’s Ministry of Interior and the Nigeria Immigration Service for sending a special intervention team to process the backlog of passport applications.

“The rapid deployment of technical personnel and production capabilities enabled the mission to resolve long-standing delays for citizens in Qatar,” Ambassador Yakubu said.

Long delays in passport issuance have historically been a primary grievance for Nigerians living abroad.

The successful intervention in Doha comes as the Nigerian government attempts to modernize its consular services and streamline passport distribution across its international missions.