TheCable

Nigerians in the UK have been unable to get through to the Nigeria High Commission via telephone to resolve important travel issues.

Several UK-based Nigerians have made futile attempts to contact the high commission to resolve issues like passport processing, renewal, among others.

The development has heightened the worries of some diaspora Nigerians who have pertinent and urgent issues to resolve.

TheCable has observed the situation for the past one week and found that the complaints are justified.

All the telephone numbers on the website of the high commission were out-of-reach when TheCable dialled them.

None of the five numbers listed for the immigration section, chancery, and consular services was reachable. Three other lines, including those for visa and general enquiries, also failed to connect.

Some of the numbers were switched off, while those that are voicemail-based responded with the comment that no personnel was available to attend to the caller.

Meanwhile, TheCable contacted the embassy via its email address and a response was received.

The embassy said it has “continually answered all calls and responded to all emails as received”.

In another email sent to inquire why the telephone numbers of the high commission were unreachable, TheCable got a response which said “all the lines are very active during working hours, however, you can send your request here”.

Subsequently, a series of calls were put through to the eight telephone numbers during working hours — but it was to no avail.

As of Wednesday morning, TheCable again tried the telephone lines but they were unreachable.