Nigerians In UK Demand Permanent Passport Office In Manchester
Nigerians living in Northern England have called on the Federal Government to establish a permanent passport and consular office in Manchester following a surge in applications recorded during a recent passport intervention.
The Nigerian Community Greater Manchester said Manchester recorded 1,709 passport enrolments within the first six days of the exercise, nearly three times the 587 recorded in London, highlighting the growing demand for immigration services outside the Nigerian High Commission in London.
The community’s chairman, Abayomi Bashiru-Kaka, made the appeal during the organisation’s celebration of Nigeria’s 66th Independence Anniversary in Manchester on Saturday, October 10.
In a statement signed by its Public Relations Officer, Joy Adetona, the group acknowledged that the temporary intervention had improved access to passport services but insisted that a permanent arrangement was necessary to address the challenges faced by Nigerians in Northern England.
It noted that Nigerians living in Greater Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds, Sheffield, Bradford and Newcastle often travel long distances to London for consular services, incurring additional transport expenses and losing valuable working hours.
Bashiru-Kaka urged the Nigerian High Commission in London, the Nigeria Immigration Service and other relevant authorities to establish a regular passport and consular service in Northern England, with Manchester serving as its regional centre.
He cited Manchester’s accessibility, established Nigerian community networks and the high volume of passport applications recorded during the intervention as reasons for the choice of location.
The exercise covered Manchester, London, Cardiff and Aberdeen, with the initial phase commencing in Manchester and London.
The community chairman commended the Federal Government, the Nigerian High Commission and the NIS for organising the exercise, particularly the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, and the Comptroller-General of Immigration, Kemi Nanna Nandap.
He said improving access to government services for Nigerians abroad would strengthen their relationship with the country and encourage their continued contributions through investments, professional expertise, family support and community development.
The group pledged to sustain engagements with Nigerian authorities in the UK while calling for timely announcements and clear application guidelines for future passport interventions.
