The Organisation for the Advancement of Nigerians (OAN), in partnership with other advocacy groups, has voiced frustration over the Ministry of Interior's continued inaction regarding the deployment of passport printers to Nigerian consulates in New York and Atlanta.
In a statement signed by its president, Olutomi Aregbesola, and shared with Nigerian Tribune, OAN criticized the ministry’s silence on a year-old appeal for improved passport processing facilities. The absence of printers at the consulates has left many Nigerians in the U.S. stranded without valid passports, unable to travel for emergencies, work, or family commitments.
Currently, two passport printers are stationed at the Nigerian Embassy in Washington, D.C., with one reportedly unused. OAN alleged that the reluctance to redeploy the idle printer stems from baseless fears by the former Minister of Interior that such a move could disrupt diplomatic harmony among missions.
“The lack of action has caused severe hardship for Nigerians in the diaspora, undermining confidence in the government’s ability to provide essential services,” the statement read. It also highlighted concerns about potential national security risks, as immigration officials must travel monthly to Washington, D.C., to process passports—posing risks to the integrity of Nigeria’s national database.
OAN called on the Ministry of Interior to:
Redeploy the idle passport printer in Washington, D.C., to New York
Provide an additional printer for the Atlanta consulate.
Launch a transparent investigation into the delays and hold responsible parties accountable.
Outline a clear timeline for resolving the crisis.
The organization emphasized its commitment to working with the ministry and other stakeholders to find lasting solutions, urging immediate action to alleviate the suffering of Nigerians abroad.
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