NIGERIANS PLEAD FOR PASSPORT PROCESSING CENTRE AT HIGH COMMISSION IN PRETORIA AMID SAFETY CONCERNS AND HIGH DEMAND

By Olaniyi Abodedele Jun, 10 2025 | 14:51:30

The Nigerian community in South Africa is urging the Federal Government of Nigeria to establish a passport processing centre at the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria to alleviate the burden of passport applications and renewals. This appeal arises amid growing concerns over the safety of Nigerians in South Africa, where violent crime and xenophobic tensions remain a persistent threat.

Currently, Nigerians in South Africa and neighbouring Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries must travel significant distances to the only passport processing centre in Johannesburg. This poses considerable risks, especially given the volatile security situation in South Africa, where the use of public transport and long-distance travel can expose our citizens to danger.

High Demand and Delays.

The Johannesburg passport office has consistently struggled with severe backlogs due to the overwhelming number of applicants from South Africa and neighbouring countries, all under the jurisdiction of the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria. The substantial Nigerian population in the region means that the existing facility is overstretched, resulting in frustrating delays that impact migrants whose daily lives depend on valid passports for identification, employment, and legal residency.

Economic Hardship and Accessibility.

South Africa’s high unemployment rate and living costs have made life difficult for many Nigerians, most of whom are already contending with financial constraints. The additional expense of travelling to Johannesburg, sometimes multiple times for capturing data and collection, places an unnecessary burden on struggling families.

Mr. Olatunde Ibitoye, a Nigerian IT professional based in Eswatini, emphasised the necessity for digital solutions: "In today’s world, human movement for services has been reduced by technology. There’s no reason why we should travel to another country for passport renewal when we can fill out forms online, do biometrics, and have passports delivered via courier. A new processing centre in Pretoria is a welcome idea that will improve efficiency and maybe embrace a better and more effective process in collection compared to what Johannesburg is offering."

Safety and Convenience for Families.

For Nigerians living in cities and provinces closer to Pretoria, such as Witbank, the current system is particularly inconvenient. Mrs. Stella Onyekachi, a businesswoman and mother of four, shared her frustrations: "Pretoria is less than an hour away from us. Imagine travelling to Johannesburg with four children just for passport renewal and collection twice! A new centre would save us time, money, and reduce risks."

Onwutalobi Nelson, a Nigerian student at the University of Pretoria, echoed similar sentiments: "It’s long overdue. With Nigeria’s large population in South Africa and the country’s vast geography, having just one centre is impractical. A second office in Pretoria would drastically reduce processing times and ease the burden on applicants."

A Plea for Swift Action.

The Nigerian government has a responsibility to protect its citizens abroad and ensure efficient service delivery. Establishing a passport processing centre at the High Commission in Pretoria is not merely a matter of convenience; it is a necessity for safety, efficiency, and dignity.

As Nigerians continue to face hardships in South Africa, the Federal Government must act swiftly to alleviate their suffering. A new passport centre in Pretoria would not only save lives by reducing risky travels but also demonstrate Nigeria’s commitment to the welfare of its diaspora.

The time to act is now—before another life is lost, before another family is stranded, before another student misses an opportunity due to avoidable delays. The Nigerian community in Southern Africa is pleading: Let Pretoria serve its people, especially as it has everything in place to serve efficiently.