Germany: Nigerian embassy warns against paying for appointments, sets up complaints unit

The Nigerian Embassy in Germany has issued a statement calling on those looking for appointment for passport issuance to desist from patronising touts. In the statement, published on its website, the embassy appealed to Nigerians to report anybody seeking payment from them for the purpose of helping them get appointments.

“It has come to the attention of the Embassy that certain people have been taking undue advantage of Nigerians seeking to secure appointments for passport renewal at the Embassy,” the statement read.

“We wish to bring to the attention of all passport applicants that APPOINTMENT FOR PASSPORT IS FREE (NOT PAID FOR). Anyone asking you to pay to get an appointment is engaging in extortion,” the statement added.

“In a bid to mitigate fraudulent activities meted on innocent/unsuspecting Nigerians, the Embassy has established a “Public Complaints Unit” that will receive and process complaints about such illegal activities,” the statement said.

If you wish to report any illegal activity pertaining to appointment/issuance of passport, please call/send a WhatsApp message to +49 176 2930 9426 or send an email to report@nigeriaembassygermany.org

“Kindly note that all complaints/reports will be treated with the utmost confidentiality,” the Embassy assured. “Once again, the Embassy wishes to state that passport appointments are FREE OF CHARGE”.

To book appointment at the Embassy, go to: https://www.terminland.eu/nigeriaembassygermany/.

Important email addresses for consular matters:

• To know whether your passport is ready for collection, send a mail to: frontdesk@nigeriaembassygermany.org

• For questions regarding appointment, kindly send a mail to etc@nigeriaembassygermany.org

Visit the Embassy’s website regularly for the current information about its services: www.nigeriaembassygermany.org

Austin Ohaegbu