The Organization for the Advancement of Nigerians (OAN) and its partner organisations have commended the Federal Government for the delivery of passport printing machines to Nigerian Consulates in New York and Atlanta saying it is great relief to Nigerians in the United States.
OAN, based in New York, stated this in its letter of commendation signed by its President, Mrs Olutomi Aregbesola, to the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo and made available to journalists on Sunday in Abuja.
Describing it as a major breakthrough for Nigerians in the United States, Aregbesola said the development had brought an end to years of frustrating delays in passport issuance and renewal.
She however noted that the development follows relentless advocacy from OAN and its partner organizations who had long called for decentralised passport printing to ease the burden on Nigerian citizens in the US.
She said, “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.”
Aregbesola, while commending Tunji-Ojo for his prompt and decisive intervention in addressing the passport crisis, described the achievement as a game-changer for the Nigerians in diaspora many of whom she said had been unable to travel due to long waits for passport renewals.
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She said that the minister’s 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 Tunji-Ojo for his quick response and unwavering commitment to resolving this long-standing issue.
“The arrival of this machine marks a new era for Nigerians in the US, ensuring that they can access efficient and timely consular services without unnecessary stress.”
She urged President Bola Tinubu to continue to give support to visionary leaders like Minister Tunji-Ojo, who had 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. 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,” Aregbesola said.
She added that in recognition of the minister’s outstanding service to Nigerians in the diaspora, OAN and its partners have extended a special invitation to Tunji-Ojo to serve as the Grand Marshal for the 2025 Annual Nigeria Independence Day Parade and Carnival in New York.
The Consul General of Nigeria in New York, Ambassador Abubakar Jidda, while confirming the arrival and installation of the machines at a recent town hall meeting said it marks a turning point in the provision of consular services.
The envoy also assured Nigerians at the meeting that with the passport printing machines now in place, delays will soon be a thing of the past as the consulate works to clear the backlog of pending applications.
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