Nigerians in the United States have called on the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, to address the issue of the absence of passport printers at the Nigerian Consulates in New York and Atlanta.

They argued that this shortage has caused undue hardship, leaving many stranded without valid passports and preventing them from travelling for emergencies, work, or family commitments.

In a statement by the Organization for the Advancement of Nigerians (OAN), in collaboration with its partner organisations, they expressed disappointment over the continued lack of response from the Ministry of Interior to their long-standing appeal.

The groups copied President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, and Amb. Yusuf Tuggar, the Minister of Foreign Affairs in their statement.

OAN President Olutomi Aregbesola highlighted that the issue has persisted for a while. He revealed that two passport printers are currently stationed at the Nigerian Embassy in Washington, D.C., one of which remains idle.

Aregbesola alleged that the refusal to deploy the idle printer to New York or Atlanta stemmed from unfounded concerns by the former Minister of Interior that such a move might create discontent among the missions.

?This reasoning defies logic and reflects a lack of informed and strategic decision-making,? OAN stated, pointing out that this inaction has led to unnecessary travel expenses for immigration officers, security risks, and delays in service delivery.

?The New York Consulate serves the largest jurisdiction in the United States, with a high concentration of Nigerians, yet it lacks a passport printer. OAN called this situation unacceptable in 2025.?

The statement highlighted the severe implications of this neglect, which include public frustration, and growing dissatisfaction among Nigerians in the U.S. risks undermining confidence in the Nigerian government?s ability to deliver essential services.

He also pointed out the risk associated with the practice of immigration officers travelling monthly to Washington, D.C., to print passports, which poses a threat to national security as it exposes Nigeria?s national database to potential breaches and damage to Nigeria?s Image abroad amongst others.

To address the issue, OAN and its partner organizations urged the Ministry of Interior to redeploy the idle printer in Washington, D.C., to the New York Consulate and deploy an additional printer to Atlanta without further delay.

The groups also called for a transparent investigation to identify and hold accountable those responsible for the delay in resolving this issue.

They also urged the government to provide a clear timeline for addressing the passport production challenges at the New York and Atlanta Consulates.

?We trust that this matter will now be treated with the urgency it deserves,? the statement concluded, urging the Honourable Minister, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, to act swiftly,? the statement added.

OAN reiterated its commitment to collaborating with the Ministry of Interior and other stakeholders to ensure sustainable solutions for Nigerians abroad.

The Organization for the Advancement of Nigerians (OAN) is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the welfare, culture, and interests of Nigerians living in the United States. OAN works to foster unity and address challenges faced by Nigerians in the Diaspora. (The Nation)

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