Outrage As Nigerian Embassy In Qatar Allegedly Dupes Over 500 Citizens Of N315,000 Each
There is growing outrage among Nigerian nationals residing in Qatar following allegations that the Nigerian Embassy in Doha defrauded over 500 citizens by collecting N315,000 each under the guise of renewing their international passports but failed to deliver the service more than five months after.
The affected Nigerians, some of whom spoke to SaharaReporters under condition of anonymity for fear of victimisation, described the Embassy’s conduct as “a big scam” and “official fraud against helpless citizens abroad.”
They alleged that officials of the mission announced in February 2025 that immigration personnel had been flown in from Nigeria to process passport renewals, a long-standing challenge for the Nigerian community in the Gulf country.
According to the aggrieved nationals, each individual was asked to pay 750 Qatari Riyals, equivalent to about N315,000, for the renewal.
The process, they said, was facilitated directly at the Nigerian Embassy in Doha, not through intermediaries or agents.
However, months after the payments were made, the applicants are yet to receive their passports, and the embassy has reportedly stopped giving updates.
“My friends and I have been living in Qatar for a long time. The Nigerian Embassy never offered passport renewal services until this year when, after a lot of pressure, they claimed to have brought in immigration officers from Nigeria. They told us to come for the renewal, collected our money, and since then, nothing has happened,” one of the victims said.
He continued: “Each person paid 750 Riyals. After the payment, they told us we would receive our passports soon. But weeks turned into months, and we started asking questions. The embassy just kept telling people to ‘wait’ or ‘they will get back to us.’ Now they’ve gone completely silent.”
Another affected Nigerian echoed similar sentiments, adding that many citizens were compelled to either remain jobless or risk legal complications in Qatar due to expired travel documents.
He lamented that the embassy’s neglect had rendered many helpless.
“We can’t get good jobs, can’t open or maintain our bank accounts, and can’t even travel back home because of this issue. Some of us thought of going back to Nigeria just to get it done, but that also requires huge funds. So we asked the embassy to bring in officials here, which they agreed to. But after paying, they vanished,” he said.
He also expressed disbelief that such an alleged scam could occur within the embassy’s premises.
“It’s shocking. We didn’t go to any private office or agent; it was inside the Nigerian Embassy.”
In reaction to the report, the spokesperson for the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Akinsola Akinlabi, when contacted by SaharaReporters, simply said, “I have seen what you sent to me, let me take my time. I’ll get back to you later.”
Sodiq Lawal is a passionate and dedicated journalist with a knack for uncovering captivating stories in the bustling metropolis of Osun State and Nigeria at large. He has a versatile reporting style, covering a wide range of topics, from politics , campus, and social issues to arts and culture, seeking impact in all facets of the society.
