Rome, Italy – July 2025 – The Nigerian Embassy in Italy is experiencing a renewed wave of administrative reform and accountability under the leadership of the current Chargé d’Affaires Amb. Mustapha Chagwas Mohammed, following the commendable tenure of Ambassador Mfawa Omini Abam, who championed efforts to close the gap between the Nigerian diaspora and diplomatic services, Amb. Mustapha Chagwas Mohammed Chargé d’Affaires is steering the embassy in a direction that builds on that legacy, specifically targeting fraud and improving service delivery for passport renewals.
Ambassador Abam was widely recognised for his dedication to resolving long-standing issues that affected Nigerians in Italy, especially in relation to the accessibility and efficiency of passport renewal services. His leadership marked a turning point in bringing diplomatic services closer to the community, promoting transparency and trust.
Now, Amb Mustapha Chagwas Mohammed, the Chargé d’Affaires and his team are tackling a new challenge: unauthorised individuals posing as embassy agents and exploiting Nigerian nationals by offering illegitimate passport renewal services, often charging exorbitant fees of up to €500. In response, Amb. Mustapha Chagwas Mohammed has instituted a structured and reform-oriented policy designed to eliminate such fraudulent activities.
A Structured Crackdown on Fraud
According to a statement from the embassy, multiple methods have already been deployed to deter impersonators and to clarify official procedures. These include:
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Public Awareness Campaigns: Educating Nigerians in Italy through community outreach and official announcements about the proper channels for renewing passports.
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Verification Protocols: Implementing stricter identity verification at embassy premises and appointment centres.
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Online Transparency: Reinforcing the use of the embassy’s official website and social media platforms to disseminate accurate, up-to-date information regarding procedures and costs.
Despite these efforts, fraudulent activity has persisted in some areas, prompting the embassy to reaffirm its stance that passport renewal fees remain unchanged and are not €500, as falsely claimed by some individuals.
Clarification on Allegations of Visa Document Abuse
Recently, some individuals reached out to Obaland Magazine journalists, alleging that certain persons associated with the consular department of the Nigerian Embassy may be misusing the name of the embassy to issue documents to Italian citizens for visa purposes.
However, upon investigation and speaking directly with embassy officials, an Obaland journalist confirmed that many of these allegations appear to be mere speculation without substantiated evidence. The embassy has emphasised its zero-tolerance policy on misconduct and reiterated that any employee found engaging in such activities would face strict disciplinary measures.
Official Position and Community Vigilance
The embassy has made it clear that the approved passport renewal fee is fixed and published on the official Nigerian Immigration Service portal, and any claim to the contrary should be treated with scepticism. The Chargé d’Affaires Mustapha Chagwas Mohammed urged Nigerians to report suspicious agents or unusual payment demands directly to the embassy for immediate investigation.
“We are committed to protecting the rights of our citizens abroad and ensuring that they are not taken advantage of by impostors,” said Amb Mustapha Chagwas Mohammed . “Our goal is to continue building a transparent, structured, and accountable process that aligns with global best practices.”
As the embassy intensifies its reform agenda, the Chargé d’Affaires, Amb. Mustapha Chagwas Mohammed called upon the Nigerian community in Italy to remain vigilant and to cooperate with embassy staff by using only official channels for consular services.
The embassy reaffirmed its dedication to service, assuring citizens that efforts to streamline processes will continue and that any forms of exploitation or misrepresentation will be met with decisive action.
This new chapter under the new Chargé d’Affaires, Amb. Mustapha Chagwas Mohammed’s leadership reflects a deepening commitment to service, protection, and integrity—principles that Nigerians in Italy are increasingly coming to expect from their diplomatic mission.
For more information, passport renewal procedures, and verified contacts, visit the official Nigerian Embassy website or contact the consular section directly.
