By Folorunso Alagbede, in Abuja
In a major breakthrough for Nigerians in the United States, the Nigerian Consulates in New York and Atlanta have officially taken delivery of a passport printing machine, respectively, bringing an end to years of frustrating delays in passport issuance and renewal.
This development follows relentless advocacy from the Organization for the Advancement of Nigerians (OAN), New York, and its partner organizations, who have long called for decentralized passport printing to ease the burden on Nigerian citizens in the U.S.
At a Town Hall meeting recently, the Consul General of Nigeria in New York, Ambassador Abubakar Jidda, confirmed the arrival and installation of the machine, stating that it marks a turning point in the provision of consular services.
Until now, officials from New York and Atlanta Consulates had to travel to Washington, D.C., to process passports – a practice that caused significant delays and frustration among Nigerians across multiple states under the Consulate’s jurisdiction.
The Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has been widely commended for his prompt and decisive intervention in addressing the passport crisis.
His leadership in ensuring the swift deployment of the machine has reaffirmed confidence in the Nigerian government’s commitment to serving its citizens, both at home and in the diaspora.
“We are deeply grateful to Minister, Bunmi Tunji-Ojo for his quick response and unwavering commitment to resolving this long-standing issue,” said Olutomi Aregbesola, President of OAN. “The arrival of this machine marks a new era for Nigerians in the U.S., ensuring that they can access efficient and timely consular services without unnecessary stress”, he added.
Ambassador Jidda assured Nigerians that with the passport printing machine now in place, delays will soon be a thing of the past as the Consulate works to clear the backlog of pending applications.
The move has been hailed as a game-changer for the Nigerian diaspora, many of whom have been unable to travel due to long waits for passport renewals.
OAN and its partners are also using this opportunity to urge President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to continue supporting visionary leaders like Minister Tunji-Ojo, who have demonstrated a genuine commitment to improving the lives of Nigerians.
“This is the kind of progressive governance we need – leaders who listen, act, and bring solutions”, OAN and its partners said.
Aregbesola added. “We look forward to continued collaboration with the government to ensure the sustained improvement of consular services for Nigerians abroad.”
With this historic step, the Nigerian government has signaled its dedication to enhancing service delivery and strengthening trust with its diaspora community. Nigerians in the U.S. can now look forward to a more efficient, transparent, and responsive passport processing system – one that truly reflects the spirit of the renewed hope agenda.
The Organization for the Advancement of Nigerians (OAN) is a non-profit organization committed to promoting the welfare, culture, and interests of Nigerians living in the United States. With a mission to foster unity and provide support to the Nigerian community, OAN strives to address challenges and celebrate the achievements of Nigerians in the diaspora.
