Nigerian diplomatic missions in the United States have jointly held a virtual town hall meeting to engage with citizens across the country on consular services, government policies, and national image. The session, which ran for over four hours on Sunday evening, brought together the Nigerian Embassy in Washington, D.C., along with the Consulates General in New York and Atlanta.
The acting Ambassador of Nigeria to the U.S., Samson Itegboje announced that both the New York and Atlanta consulates now have their own passport printers, while Washington, D.C. operates two. Itegboje said the development will reduce processing delays, as previously all printing was handled solely in Washington, forcing staff from other missions to make monthly trips for the service.
He, however, noted that last-minute applications by citizens continue to strain capacity, underscoring the need for early processing requests.
The Consul-General in New York, Abubakar Jidda, advocated responsible representation of Nigerians abroad, cautioning against negative portrayals of the missions on social media, stressing that such actions undermine diplomatic work and the country’s reputation. Also, Atlanta Consul-General, Auwalu Namadina, encouraged constructive criticism, mutual respect, and regular dialogue between citizens and mission staff to foster better understanding and improved service delivery.
The event closed with an invitation for Nigerians in the U.S. to participate in the upcoming 2025 Independence Day Parade and Carnival in New York in October, to strengthen community ties and showcase a positive image of Nigeria abroad.
