Is A Passport Agent Actually Needed?

Hello Nairalanders,

Please is it possible to obtain a Nigerian passport without actually going through a passport agent?

If yes, then how long will the process takes even after making the on-line payment?

Please share with me your experience.

Hi mate,
 Yes it is very possible to get a passport without going through an agent
The duration here is what matters because after you've made the payment
electronically, you would then be given a date for appointment at the
regional office, after which might take up to a month or thereabout
before you get your passport.
 But i would advise you go through someone you know thats working
 at the immigration centre passport department to help you in the
processing of the passport because this don't really take much time and 
it depends on how fast you want it that matters.
 Let me know where you stay so i can know if i will be of help
 because i know of someone who works there but he's office is in
 Ogun State capital, Abeokuta,  who can get it done for you as specificied
 by you, and if Abeokuta is a place you can visit, then get back to me on my email
so i can give you details on how to get in contact with him.
 oloksbeejay@yahoo.com . thats my email address. hope am able to answer your
question. Cheers

yes it's very possible to get one done without going through a middleman. i should know i did one some weeks back in Abuja.

the catch is that it'll take you time as others have said. after doing what you have to do online you'll be given an interview date which in my case was 2 weeks away. after the interview/snapping you'll be given another one week to come pick up your passport. so let's say the whole process will take you about a month.

another difficulty might be getting a guarantor who has either of the 2 ID's: driving license, National ID and e-passport. but I'm sure if you search well enough you'll find one.

all in all #15,000 can see you through if you stay in Abuja and intend to see it through there.

you get the card #9,000
browse online and print your necessary papers #600
run around including going to court to certify your guarantors form #3,000 (i didn't actually go to court so this figures' an estimate)
and then you take your self to and fro the immigrations office twice: to snap the picture and later on to collect your passport #1,000 (if you take public transport)

see this thread for more: http://www.nairaland.com/nigeria/topic-70331.0.html