The Nigerian Community in Greater Manchester (NCGM) has urged the Federal Government to establish permanent passport and consular services in Northern England following the high demand recorded during a recent passport intervention exercise in Manchester.
The appeal was made by NCGM Chairman, Otunba Abayomi Bashiru-Kaka, during the organisation’s celebration of Nigeria’s 66th Independence anniversary in Manchester.
According to a statement signed by the group’s Public Relations Officer, Joy Adetona, Bashiru-Kaka described the intervention as a significant step towards reducing the difficulties Nigerians living outside London face when accessing passport services.
He commended the Nigerian High Commission in London, the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) and the Federal Government for organising the exercise. He also acknowledged the contributions of the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, the Comptroller-General of the NIS, Kemi Nanna Nandap, and immigration officers involved in the programme.
The passport intervention covered four locations in the United Kingdom: Manchester, London, Cardiff and Aberdeen, with the initial phase beginning in Manchester and London.
Figures released by the NIS on September 14, 2026, showed that Manchester recorded 1,709 passport enrolments within its first six operational days, compared with 587 in London.
Bashiru-Kaka said the figures demonstrated the strong demand for passport services among Nigerians in Northern England. He noted that residents of Greater Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds, Sheffield, Bradford, Newcastle and neighbouring communities often spend considerable time and money travelling to London to access consular services.
He said the burden was particularly difficult for families, elderly citizens, students and working professionals.
The NCGM chairman therefore called on the Nigerian High Commission and the NIS to introduce a more consistent and sustainable service arrangement in Northern England, proposing Manchester as a regional centre.
He identified the city’s accessibility, established Nigerian community networks and the high number of applications recorded during the intervention as reasons for considering the proposal. He also stressed the importance of timely public announcements and clear application procedures.
Beyond passport services, Bashiru-Kaka highlighted the contributions of Nigerians in the Diaspora through investments, financial support to families, professional expertise and community development.
He maintained that making government services more accessible would strengthen the relationship between Nigeria and its citizens living abroad.
The organisation also reaffirmed its willingness to collaborate with the Nigerian High Commission, the NIS, local mayors, councillors and other public institutions to improve the welfare of Nigerians in Greater Manchester.
NCGM encouraged Nigerians in the United Kingdom to maintain pride in their heritage while contributing positively to British society.
The group expressed appreciation to the Nigerian authorities and personnel who participated in the passport exercise, adding that the Manchester intervention should serve as a starting point for more accessible and regular consular services across Northern England.
