Nigerians living in Northern England have called on the Federal Government to establish a permanent passport and consular service in Manchester, citing the high demand recorded during a recent passport intervention exercise.
The Nigerian Community Greater Manchester made the appeal after the city recorded 1,709 passport enrolments during the first six days of the intervention, compared with 587 in London.
According to “Punch”, the figures were released by the Nigeria Immigration Service on September 14, 2026, following the exercise.
Community highlights difficulties accessing services
The community’s chairman, Abayomi Bashiru-Kaka, made the request during the organisation’s Nigeria Independence Day celebration in Manchester on October 10.
In a statement signed by its Public Relations Officer, Joy Adetona, the group said Nigerians living in Greater Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds, Sheffield, Bradford and Newcastle often have to travel to London to access consular services.
It said the journeys create additional transport expenses and require people to take time away from work, with families, elderly Nigerians, students and working professionals particularly affected.
The community acknowledged the Federal Government’s passport intervention but argued that temporary exercises cannot adequately address the needs of Nigerians living across the region.
Manchester proposed as regional service centre
Bashiru-Kaka urged the Nigerian High Commission in London, the Nigeria Immigration Service and other relevant authorities to establish a regular consular service in Northern England, with Manchester serving as its regional base.
He pointed to the city’s accessibility, established Nigerian community networks and the number of applications recorded during the intervention as reasons for considering the proposal.
The community also called for timely announcements and clear application guidelines for future passport exercises, pledging to continue engaging Nigerian authorities in the UK.
The Federal Government has not announced a permanent Manchester office. The request remains a proposal from the Nigerian community.
