Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, and his counterpart in the Interior Ministry, Rauf Aregbesola, have met in Abuja on Thursday, to find ways of resolving consular issues across Nigerian missions abroad.
According to Onyeama, the meeting was called to address a wide range of consular matters, such as the issuance of passports, passport renewals, visas and other related challenges, faced by Nigerians around the world.
Onyeama noted that Nigeria is one of the countries with a large diaspora population, adding that it is regrettable that citizens go through difficulties, in accessing consular services, which he described as a major challenge.
Onyeama further said, the disturbing situation has informed the need for a robust partnership, between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Interior, to resolve the issues, noting that a workable plan of action is being put in place, to ensure smooth consular service delivery to Nigerians the world over.
Speaking after the closed-door meeting, the Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, said both ministries reviewed the areas of challenges, for quick resolution, stating that issues bordering on shortage of passport booklets have since been addressed.
(Editor: Ifeanyi Mark)
