Nigerian diplomatic missions in the United States convened a virtual town hall meeting on Sunday to engage with citizens across the country, address pressing diaspora concerns, and dispel online misinformation.
The event brought together the Embassy of Nigeria in Washington, D.C., along with the Consulates General in New York and Atlanta. Initially scheduled to end by 9 p.m. (New York time), the meeting ran until 11:15 p.m., drawing hundreds of participants who interacted directly with their diplomats.
Discussions covered a wide range of topics, including passport and visa processing, investment opportunities, trade relations, and Nigeria’s international image. Participants also offered constructive feedback and explored practical ways to improve service delivery.
Acting Ambassador to the U.S., Amb. Samson Itegboje, announced significant upgrades to passport processing, revealing that New York and Atlanta now each have their own printer, while Washington, D.C. operates two. This marks a departure from the previous arrangement where passports were printed solely in Washington, forcing other missions to make monthly trips.
He urged Nigerians to submit passport and visa applications well ahead of time, cautioning against last-minute requests that create unrealistic expectations.
“This meeting is to hear Nigerians, understand their problems, and work towards solutions,” Itegboje said. “We have improved our service delivery and will keep improving because we don’t want any Nigerian to suffer. The government values the diaspora community as part of its 4Ds — Democracy, Development, Demography, and Diaspora.”
Amb. Abubakar Jidda, Consul-General in New York, reminded attendees that Nigeria is their homeland and warned against harmful criticism. He emphasised the importance of constructive engagement, mutual respect, and balanced feedback, adding that negative portrayals on social media damage the country’s image.
“We must acknowledge the good work being done alongside criticism,” Jidda noted, pledging that the missions will not allow misinformation to undermine their efforts.
Amb. Auwalu Namadina, Consul-General in Atlanta, stressed that rebuilding Nigeria is a collective responsibility. He encouraged ongoing dialogue to bridge understanding between missions and the diaspora, promising to address every concern raised about the Atlanta office.
The meeting drew praise for its openness, professionalism, and problem-solving approach. Former Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation (NIDO) America President, Patience Key, described it as “a masterclass in listening, correcting falsehoods, and finding solutions.”
Participants committed to defending Nigeria’s reputation in the U.S. and attracting investments to the country. The gathering concluded with an invitation to attend the 2025 Independence Day Parade and Carnival in New York this October.
(NAN)
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