Nigerian diplomatic missions in the United States have held a virtual townhall meeting with citizens across the country, tackling pressing concerns, countering misinformation, and outlining steps to improve consular services.
The event, which brought together the Embassy in Washington D.C. and the Consulates General in New York and Atlanta, ran from 7 p.m. to 11:15 p.m. Hundreds of Nigerians joined the session, raising issues on passport processing, visas, investment, trade, and the country’s image abroad.
Acting Ambassador to the U.S., Samson Itegboje, announced that both New York and Atlanta consulates now have passport printers, alongside two in Washington D.C., to speed up processing. Previously, the consulates had to travel to Washington monthly to print passports.
While acknowledging improvements in service delivery, Itegboje urged Nigerians to avoid last-minute applications and assured that the missions remain committed to efficiency. He reiterated that the diaspora is central to President Bola Tinubu’s foreign policy focus on Democracy, Development, Demography, and Diaspora.
New York Consul-General Abubakar Jidda cautioned against destructive criticism and urged the community to counter false narratives that undermine the missions’ work. He emphasised mutual respect and called for continued engagement to address challenges.
Atlanta Consul-General Auwalu Namadina stressed the importance of collective responsibility in nation-building, pledging to address concerns raised about the Atlanta mission.
Participants commended the missions’ professionalism and pledged to defend Nigeria’s image while attracting investment to the homeland. The meeting concluded with an invitation to the 2025 Independence Day Parade and Carnival in New York this October.
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