Abike Dabiri Hails Nigerian Mission In UK For Clearing Passport Backlog

Abike Dabiri, who personally interviewed some of the passport applicants at the Mission, said 8 out of every 10 interviewees had something positive to say about the new development.

Chairman of Nigerians In Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Hon Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has lauded the leadership of the Nigerian Mission in United Kingdom for its proactiveness in tackling the conundrum of passport backlogs that had jeopardized the immigration status of many Diaspora Nigerians.

This was contained in a statement signed by Abdur-Rahman Balogun, Head, Media and Public Relations Unit of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission in a statement in Abuja on Monday, August 9, 2021.

Abike Dabiri, who paid a courtesy call on Nigeria High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Amb Sarafa Ishola, expressed delight that the Mission had processed over 24,000 passports in the last three months.

Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa hailed the dynamism the newly appointed Nigerian High Commissioner to UK, Amb. Sarafa Ishola and the staff of the High Commission, have brought into issuance and clearing of passports backlogs in UK.

“The immediate changes I’ve noticed here has been very significant. Now your passports are sent to you by mail. Within five working days you get your passport sent to you by mail. So here in the UK, applicants don’t have to return to collect their passports, and then the process has been faster,” she said.

The NiDCOM Boss, who urged Nigerians at home and abroad to work together to build the Nigeria of our dreams, stated that it was crucial for the Commission to ensure the sustainability of the revolution it has occasioned in the quest to make life easier for Diaspora Nigerians.

“There are no more shortages of booklets, and its quite significant that quite a number of backlogs have been cleared. We’re talking about 21 thousand or so. I think that is quite significant. But the key thing is sustainability, will they be able to sustain this and make it a norm, not an aberration.”

“We need to work together, Nigerians at home and Nigerians here in the UK. We have no other country ultimately, but Nigeria, so lets work together to build that great country of ours.”

Presenting a copy of the Diaspora policy to the High Commissioner, the NIDCOM Chairman applauded the innovative ideas introduced by the Mission.

Abike Dabiri, who personally interviewed some of the passport applicants at the Mission, said 8 out of every 10 interviewees had something positive to say about the new development. She also cautioned the Mission not to rest on its laurels but ensure that this fliud system is translated into a culture.

Abike Dabiri advised Nigerians to apply for renewal of their passports six months before expiry date in order to give themselves an ample time window to complete the renewal process.

Earlier, Amb. Sarafa Ishola, Nigeria High Commissioner to UK said that the Mission had processed over 24,000 passports in the last three months.

The Commissioner added that the Mission had cleared a backlog of 17,000 applications since he assumed office.

“The Mission now posts passports to applicants rather than the previous process of coming back to collect their passports”, he added.

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The High Commissioner also expressed desire for diaspora remittances to be channelled to sustainable sectors of the economy, while stressing that he will focus on strengthening bilateral relations between Nigeria and the Uk

The Envoy stressed that the Mission had continuous engagements with various diaspora groups in the UK and advised them to work in unity and as one entity.

Ronny Ikpoto

Edidiong-Ronny Ikpoto holds a First Class degree in Media Studies. He shares a healthy enthusiasm for journalism, social & literary criticism, and creative writing.