The Organization for the Advancement of Nigerians (OAN) has called on the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, to address the persistent passport printing crisis at Nigerian consulates in New York and Atlanta. In a statement, OAN President Olutomi Aregbesola lamented the system’s inefficiency, citing significant hardship caused to Nigerians living in the US.
The New York Consulate, which serves the largest jurisdiction of Nigerians in the US, lacks a passport printer, a situation Aregbesola deemed “unacceptable in 2025.” The OAN also criticized the refusal to redeploy a spare printer from the Nigerian Embassy in Washington, D.C., describing the decision as lacking logic and foresight.
The group urged the government to act swiftly, noting that ongoing delays impose unnecessary expenses, security risks, and disruptions for Nigerians needing passports for emergencies, work, and family obligations. Aregbesola emphasized that the current situation reflects a lack of informed and strategic decision-making.
In a related development, the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) announced on Sunday that it is upgrading its passport portal. The service assured the public that other services, including passport applications for Nigerians abroad, remain fully operational during the maintenance period.
The NIS team is working to complete the upgrade and restore full functionality to the portal within 72 hours. The service apologized for any inconvenience caused and appreciated the public’s patience and understanding. The upgrade is part of efforts to enhance service delivery.
The NIS reaffirmed its commitment to providing efficient and excellent services to Nigerians at home and abroad. The passport printing crisis has been a longstanding issue, with Nigerians in the US facing significant challenges in obtaining passports.
As the Nigerian government works to address the passport printing crisis, the OAN and other groups continue to advocate for urgent action to resolve the issue and ensure that Nigerians living abroad receive the services they need.
