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Amid concerns over Nigeria’s worsening international relations, a civic organization, Network for the Actualization of Social Growth and Viable Development, NEFGAD, has written to President Bola Tinubu to address challenges confronting staff of Nigerian foreign missions and Nigeria Immigration Service, NIS, attachés deployed to various countries around the world.
NEFGAD made the request in a letter dated November 4, 2025, and addressed to President Bola Tinubu. The letter was signed by its acting Head of Office, Barrister Unekwu Blessing Ojo.
In the letter, NEFGAD noted that the challenges confronting the foreign missions, if not urgently addressed, have serious implications for Nigeria’s global image and diplomatic efficiency, as well as service delivery to Nigerians and foreigners abroad.
‘’For over two years the Nigeria Immigration Service has duly appointed and designated Immigration Attachés to serve in Nigerian missions across different continents to handle essential migration-related responsibilities such as visa processing, passport interventions, data verification, and immigration intelligence.
“Unfortunately, the officers are yet to be deployed, leaving some missions with only one officer shouldering immigration responsibilities of a whole country, including attending to multiple requests from both Nigerians and foreign nationals. This situation is not only inefficient but undiplomatic and inconsistent with international best practices,” the civic organization said.
NEFGAD further noted that leading countries such as the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, France, and Canada maintain full-fledged Immigration and Consular Services within their embassies and consulates worldwide, with specialized immigration officers deployed in adequate numbers to ensure efficient processing of visas, passports, residency inquiries, and other related services.
It observed that the presence of such consular staff contribute significantly to national security, global mobility and international cooperation.
According to NEFGAD, the inability of Nigeria missions to replicate similar robust immigration representation places Nigeria at a serious diplomatic disadvantage, weakens consular services, and undermines the welfare of Nigerian citizens abroad.
The civil society organization further raised concern over the plight of many of Nigeria’s diplomatic attachés and mission staff who have gone for several months without receiving their salaries and allowances.
“This neglect does not only affect their morale and productivity but also damages Nigeria’s reputation before host countries,” the CSO said.
It warned that a demoralized or financially distressed attaché cannot effectively represent the interests of any nation.
NEFGAD writes Tinubu over plight of Nigeria foreign mission staff, immigration attaches
