In a significant outreach effort, Nigeria’s diplomatic missions in the United States hosted a virtual town hall meeting on Sunday, bringing together hundreds of Nigerians across the country for an open dialogue on key consular issues and the growing spread of misinformation online.
The four-hour session, which ran from 7:00 p.m. to 11:15 p.m. (New York time), was convened by the Embassy of Nigeria in Washington, D.C., and the Consulates General in New York and Atlanta.
The meeting offered Nigerian nationals the rare opportunity to directly engage with their diplomats on pressing matters such as passport delays, visa services, national image, diaspora engagement, investment opportunities, and bilateral relations.
Diplomats Offer Transparency, Highlight Progress
Nigeria’s Acting Ambassador to the U.S., Samson Itegboje, revealed that each of the missions in New York and Atlanta now has dedicated passport printers, while Washington, D.C. currently operates two. This marks a significant shift from the past, when only the Washington mission handled printing, requiring staff from other missions to travel monthly to process applications.
“This meeting is about listening to Nigerians, understanding their concerns, and improving service delivery,” Itegboje said.
“We’ve made progress, but we’re not where we want to be yet. Our goal is to ensure no Nigerian is left stranded.”
He acknowledged that many applicants wait until the last minute before requesting consular services, creating pressure on staff.
“We’re not magicians,” he remarked, urging the community to plan ahead and take advantage of early services.
Itegboje reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to the diaspora under President Bola Tinubu’s 4Ds foreign policy framework: Democracy, Development, Demography, and Diaspora.
“The diaspora is a key component of Nigeria’s foreign policy direction. We’re leveraging their potential for economic growth and international influence.”
Calls for Constructive Dialogue and Mutual Respect
Consul-General in New York, Abubakar Jidda, called on Nigerians abroad to avoid destructive criticism and refrain from spreading misleading narratives about consular services on social media.
“What you call your country is what others will call it,” he said, encouraging patriotism and solution-driven dialogue.
Jidda acknowledged that some Nigerians approach missions with disrespect and hostility, making service delivery more challenging.
“Let’s help each other. This is a two-way street,” he added.
He stressed the importance of separating isolated service issues from the broader improvements being made across missions.
“Some individuals deliberately misrepresent facts online just to trend. That hurts not just the staff who go the extra mile, but the country’s global image.”
“Fixing Nigeria is Everyone’s Job” – Atlanta CG
Echoing his colleagues, Consul-General in Atlanta, Auwalu Namadina, emphasized the need for sustained dialogue between missions and the diaspora community.
“Fixing Nigeria is not a job for a few; it’s a shared responsibility,” he said.
“We are committed to addressing any genuine complaint brought to our attention.”
Namadina urged Nigerians to remain engaged and continue offering constructive feedback that can help improve consular operations.
Diaspora Applauds Engagement, Urges Consistency
Participants at the town hall expressed appreciation for the improved service delivery and openness shown by the missions. Many commended the diplomatic staff for their professionalism and responsiveness.
Patience Key, former President of Nigerians In Diaspora Organisation (NIDO) America, described the meeting as:
“A masterclass in listening, correcting falsehoods, and working together on solutions. This is how a country preserves its dignity and strengthens ties with its citizens abroad.”
The event concluded with a renewed commitment from diaspora members to defend Nigeria’s reputation in the U.S., promote investment opportunities, and deepen connections with their homeland.
Attendees were also invited to participate in the upcoming 2025 Independence Day Parade and Carnival scheduled for October in New York.
