How to Renew a Nigerian Passport

The lifespan of a Nigerian passport is 10 years, with an initial validity of 5 years. After the first 5 years, you are required to renew your passport, and after 10 years you will need to obtain a new passport, also called a reissue. When you renew your passport, a renewal sticker stating the next expiration date (5 years from the renewal date) is placed on the observations page. You can renew your passport at the Passport Office of the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), if you are within the country, or at the Nigerian embassy or consulate if you are outside the country.

Step1
Find the nearest passport office, if you live in Nigeria. See link in Resources below for a list of NIS offices, zonal offices and passport offices around the country and their contact information.
Step2
Contact the nearest NIS office and find out its specific procedures for renewal applications, such as whether an appointment is necessary or if walk-ins are accepted, what the renewal fee is and how you should make your payment. Make an appointment if necessary. Bring your passport, as well as the renewal fee, along to your appointment at the passport office.

Step3
Contact the nearest embassy or consulate, if you are outside Nigeria, to find out what the policies for renewal are. Ask if walk-ins are accepted. Ask if you can mail in your passport. Find out how much it costs and how you should send in your payment. If you live close enough, then you may want to go in and have your passport renewed. If you are farther away, mail in your passport. See a link in Resources for a list of Nigerian consulates and embassies abroad and their contact information.

Step4
Renew your passport at the Nigerian Embassy in Washington, DC, New York or Atlanta (see Resources for a link) if you live in the U.S. If you live far away, mail in your passport with a money order for $45 (as of 2009), the renewal fee, and a filled-out renewal application. You can obtain a renewal application for each consulate on the consulate's website. You should receive your passport with a renewal sticker within a few days. Send your passport with a self addressed-envelope so it can be returned to you and use a trackable USPS mail service.