The Organisation for the Advancement of Nigerians (OAN), along with its 20 partner organizations in New York, is appealing to President Bola Tinubu’s administration to address the current crisis in passport production at Nigeria’s U.S. missions. Nigeria maintains three missions in the United States, including the consulates general in New York and Atlanta, and the Embassy of Nigeria in Washington, DC.
At present, Washington’s Nigerian embassy serves as the sole passport production center within the U.S., with the consulates collecting biometrics for passport production and forwarding them to the embassy.
However, a server malfunction has caused the Nigerian embassy in Washington to cease passport production since November 13. Consequently, all passport services have been temporarily suspended, and applicants are advised to verify if the situation has been resolved before visiting the consulate for biometric processing.
The OAN and its partner organizations express deep concern over the regrettable breakdown of the Nigerian passport server in the United States. The technical failure has not only disrupted passport production throughout the country but has also caused immense stress and frustration for numerous Nigerians. The association acknowledges the significant inconvenience and distress this situation has caused its fellow countrymen and women.
The OAN urges the government to invest in essential technological infrastructure and support systems to ensure the security and seamless functioning of critical services for Nigerians residing abroad. As an organization dedicated to the well-being and advancement of Nigerians in the United States, the OAN pledges to work diligently alongside relevant authorities to resolve the server breakdown and implement long-term solutions.
