THE AFRICAN COURIER. Reporting Africa and its Diaspora! The African Courier is an international magazine published in Germany to report on Africa and the Diaspora African experience. The first issue of the bimonthly magazine appeared on the newsstands on 15 February 1998. The African Courier is a communication forum for European-African political, economic and cultural exchanges, and a voice for Africa in Europe.
Nigerian community leaders across Europe will convene for a crucial virtual meeting this Saturday, 20 September 2025, to deliberate on pressing matters affecting Nigerians in the diaspora.
The meeting, organised under the auspices of the International Association for Human Rights and Accountability (IAHRAC), will take place via Zoom at 7:00 PM Central European Time.
At the centre of the agenda is the proposed increase in the cost of obtaining the National Identification Number (NIN) outside Nigeria to about €145 (£127). The NIN, which has become mandatory for a wide range of official transactions, has long been a source of frustration for Nigerians abroad due to delays, high fees and inconsistent processes.
The application procedure has grown increasingly complex since June 2025, when the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) announced a “data migration exercise.” Applicants are now required to go through multiple steps — starting with a National Population Certificate, then an affidavit from the High Court, followed by an OTP fee to NIMC, before finally paying private agencies additional enrollment charges. In total, the process can run into hundreds of dollars or euros, with no guarantee of success or refund if enrollment fails.
The rising costs have sparked outrage, especially since earlier NIN registration in the UK and across Europe was far cheaper. Community leaders say the current system is exploitative, imposing financial burden on diaspora Nigerians.
Another major issue on the table is the plan to relocate Nigerian passport production back to Nigeria. Critics warn that, based on past experiences, such a move could worsen delays and further complicate access for citizens abroad, who already face long waiting times and high costs when applying for passports. While diaspora Nigerians welcome local production, they urge the government to ensure that the process is properly managed.
“This important discussion will enable us to collectively address recent developments and establish a clear position on the way forward,” said Dr Okoro Akinyemi, Head of Affairs at IAHRAC.
“We can make meaningful recommendations to the Federal Government of Nigeria to simplify and reduce the costs of both the NIN and passport processes, making them straightforward, affordable and fair,” he added.
Akinyemi underscored the need for unity, adding: “Our voice and collective action are vital. If we fail to act, policymakers will continue to impose systems that exploit citizens at home and abroad. But as members of the diaspora community, we have both the voice and the influence to push for real change.”
For Nigerians in Europe, the meeting represents more than a debate over bureaucratic inefficiencies — it is a call to ensure that the country recognises the diaspora’s contributions and treats its citizens abroad with fairness and respect.
Meeting Details
📅 Date: Saturday, 20 September 2025
🕕 Time: 6:00 PM (UK) | 7:00 PM (Europe)
📍 Venue: Zoom Meeting
🔗 Zoom Link: Join the Meeting
Meeting ID: 847 5978 5998
Passcode: 947003
