Nigerian residents in Northern England have urged the Federal Government to establish a permanent passport office in Manchester after a temporary intervention in the city saw 1,709 people enrol for passport services.
The recent temporary facility, set up to cater to the growing Nigerian community in the region, attracted a record number of applicants in a short period. The 1,709 enrolments reflect the demand for a more permanent presence to streamline passport processing for citizens abroad.
Community leaders and local Nigerian organisations have called on the Nigerian government to consider a permanent office in Manchester, citing the convenience and accessibility it would provide for the diaspora in the North of England.
Manchester, a major commercial and cultural hub in Northern England, already hosts a sizeable Nigerian population that relies on timely passport renewals for travel, education and business purposes.
While the temporary office was a welcome step, the call for a permanent establishment underscores the need for ongoing support and infrastructure for Nigerians living outside the country.
<small>Source: Punch Nigeria — read the original story there.</small>
