LONDON — The President of the Nigerian Community in the UK, Mr. Benjamin Kuti, has called for a significant overhaul of consular services following a high-level meeting at the Nigerian High Commission in London.
Meeting with Acting High Commissioner Mohammed Maidugu, Mr. Kuti—widely known as the “Oluomo of Derby”—presented a robust agenda addressing the “urgent and daily” challenges faced by the Nigerian diaspora. Chief among these demands is the establishment of a second Nigerian consulate in the UK to alleviate the chronic pressure on the central London mission.
Addressing the Diaspora Crisis The discussions highlighted several systemic failures currently affecting thousands of Nigerian nationals, including:
- Passport Renewals: A call to resolve the serious backlogs that continue to hinder the mobility and legal status of citizens.
- Citizens’ Welfare: The urgent need for the protection of Nigerians within the UK prison system and better support for families facing bereavement.
- Child Advocacy: A plea for the High Commission to intervene in social services cases to ensure the cultural identity of Nigerian children in UK custody is preserved.
A Commitment to Reform Mr. Kuti also advocated for increased transparency, proposing quarterly “town hall” meetings to bridge the communication gap between the mission and the community.
In response, Acting Commissioner Maidugu acknowledged the existing challenges and briefed the community leader on upcoming reforms designed to streamline services. “This conversation is a step forward,” Mr. Kuti remarked following the meeting, “but we must continue to advocate to ensure Nigerians abroad receive the dignity and representation they deserve.”
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