Nigerians In Texas Call For Passport Office Amid Renewal Challenges

Nigerians residing in Texas, United States are appealing to the Nigerian government to establish a passport office in Texas.

This request stems from Texas having the highest population of Nigerians in the United States, which would alleviate the high costs and inconveniences of traveling to Washington DC or Atlanta for passport renewals to visit their homeland.

The President of Arlington Nigeria Appreciation Day in Arlington, Texas, Ambassador Oluwafemi Olayinka Kajogbola made this known in an interview with Voice of Nigeria,

Kajogbola said that over 10,000 Nigerians in Arlington alone require passport renewals but are deterred by the distance to Atlanta and Washington DC.

He said; “During last year’s Arlington Nigeria Appreciation Day in Arlington, my people complained that traveling to Chicago and DC is too far just to renew their Nigerian passports or obtain a new passport. That’s when we realised we have more than 10,000 Nigerians who need to renew their passports, which is why we are appealing to the Nigerian government for passport intervention.”

He said; “We have written to the authorities in charge of Immigration and the Nigerian High Commission in the US on this issue but we have not received any response.”

Kajogbola expressed optimism that the passport intervention would generate millions of dollars for the Nigerian government, especially in this era of global economic downturn.

Renewed Hope Agenda

He expressed confidence in the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and called on Nigerians to be patient with the government.

Kajogbola who is also a Senior Pastor of Light of the World Mission Pentecost, said things would improve when the government begins implementing its policies and programmes.

On his part, the founder of Penel Investment and Development LLC in Arlington, Texas, Mr. Ibukun Oluwaotiwa shared his experience as a victim of passport expiration.

Oluwaotiwa stated that his passport had expired and that traveling to DC or Atlanta for renewal would cost him $1000, including flight and hotel expenses.

He echoed the community’s call for government assistance on the issue.

Mercy Chukwudiebere