Abuja, Nigeria – June 7, 2025
Professor Charles E. Orbih, a prominent Nigerian diaspora leader based in the United States and Co-Founder of the Nigeria Diaspora Coalition for Change (USA), has issued a passionate appeal to Nigeria’s Minister of Interior, Hon. Engr. Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, calling for urgent reforms in the operations of Nigeria’s consular passport renewal services, especially at the Atlanta Consulate.
In a detailed letter dated June 4, 2025, Prof. Orbih recounted a frustrating personal experience at the Consulate during his scheduled appointment on Monday, December 2, 2024. Despite arriving early for his 12:00 p.m. slot, he was subjected to what he described as “rudimentary and outdated processes,” beginning with having to manually write his name at the gate on a paper list.
“In this digital age, and especially at a Nigerian consulate in the United States, such a practice is completely out of step with global best practices,” Prof. Orbih stated.
He further expressed concern over the chaotic management of appointments. According to him, more than 40 people were crammed into the waiting area with no regard for scheduled appointments, and services were rendered on a first-come, first-served basis—contradicting the structured online booking system.
“At 2:45 p.m., I received an email querying my appointment—after nearly three hours of waiting,” he wrote. “Attempts to speak with the Head of Immigration to offer suggestions were met with hostility and scolding rather than openness to feedback.”
Ultimately, Prof. Orbih left the consulate without receiving services, returning to his home state disappointed and disheartened. He emphasized that these inefficiencies not only inconvenience Nigerians abroad but also tarnish the image of Nigeria’s foreign missions.
As an Information Technology expert, NIN service provider, and diaspora community coordinator, Prof. Orbih offered five key recommendations to improve efficiency and transparency at Nigeria’s consular missions:
- Adopt digital check-in systems at the entrance for real-time visitor records.
- Enforce or clearly communicate appointment policies to reduce confusion.
- Eliminate unlisted additional fees to promote transparency and accountability.
- Introduce numbered ticketing systems to manage queues fairly and privately.
- Train consular personnel in customer service and interpersonal communication.
Calling on Minister Tunji-Ojo’s leadership, Prof. Orbih urged the Federal Ministry of Interior to intervene promptly:
“It will not require much capital to resolve these inefficiencies. What is needed is the political will, clarity of purpose, and commitment to making our consulates symbols of national dignity and service excellence.”
He concluded by expressing his willingness to collaborate with the Ministry and relevant stakeholders to bring about the needed transformation.
Prof. Charles Orbih holds several distinguished awards and currently serves as the Professorial Chair of Entrepreneurial Management and ICT Innovation at EdSea Business School. He is also a recipient of the Global Legacy Leadership Award from ACILC and was inducted into the Black History Achievement Hall of Magnum Opus.
