Advocate demands overhaul of Nigerian consular services
A public policy advocate, Prince Rotimi Victor Rhodes-Vivour, has called for urgent reforms in Nigeria’s foreign missions, citing persistent complaints of delays, poor communication and unfriendly treatment of Nigerians seeking
A public policy advocate, Prince Rotimi Victor Rhodes-Vivour, has called for urgent reforms in Nigeria’s foreign missions, citing persistent complaints of delays, poor communication and unfriendly treatment of Nigerians seeking consular services abroad.
Rhodes-Vivour said Nigerian embassies and consulates, which operate under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, have fallen short of public expectations in delivering basic services such as passport renewal, visa processing, birth and marriage registration, and emergency assistance.
He noted that while some citizens have reported satisfactory experiences, particularly during emergencies, many others continue to complain of long waiting times, slow processing of documents and lack of transparency.
According to him, delays in passport issuance remain a major source of frustration for Nigerians in the diaspora, often leading to repeated visits to embassies and disruption of travel and work plans.
Rhodes-Vivour, who is a candidate of the Public Leadership Credential at the Harvard John F. Kennedy School of Government, warned that failure to address these issues could further erode public trust and damage Nigeria’s international image.
He said: “Nigerian foreign missions are meant to protect citizens abroad and promote Nigeria’s diplomatic and economic interests. When service delivery is poor, it weakens public confidence and makes Nigerians feel abandoned.”
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To tackle the problem, he proposed the adoption of a behavioural reform strategy known as a “nudge,” aimed at improving efficiency without introducing strict enforcement measures.
He explained that the approach would require embassies to publicly display clear timelines for services such as passport renewal and document verification on notice boards, official websites and appointment confirmation emails.
In addition, staff members would be provided with daily performance dashboards indicating the number of applications to be processed within set deadlines.
“When service timelines are clearly stated and monitored, officials are more likely to organise their work efficiently, while users will have clear expectations,” he said.
Rhodes-Vivour argued that increased visibility and accountability would reduce delays, improve staff responsiveness and minimise repeated trips by applicants.
He maintained that one of the core mandates of Nigerian foreign missions, fast and efficient consular services, has not been fully achieved, given the recurring complaints from citizens abroad.
He added that improving transparency and customer service would not only enhance user experience but also strengthen Nigeria’s reputation among host countries and foreign partners.
Rhodes-Vivour is a legal practitioner and Principal Partner at Akande, Rhodes & Vivour. He is also President of The 616 Group and leads the Rotimi Victor Rhodes-Vivour Youth Empowerment Foundation.
He stressed that reforming service delivery at Nigerian embassies is critical to restoring confidence, protecting Nigerians in the diaspora and projecting a more credible national image internationally.
