Nigerian High Commission In London Is Born Again - Blog Visitor Narrative.

                           A MUST READ  

Hello Stella,

I visited the Nigerian High commission in London yesterday and I thought to send you a review after reading the experience of the lady that traveled to Abuja for a name change on her passport. As much as we criticize our Government for their inability to give us a fully functional society, I also think its only fair to commend them when we experience the kind of Nigeria we desire. Please see below my experience at the Nigerian High Commission at Embankment in London yesterday.

My Story

The last time I visited the Nigerian High Commission (NHC) in London was three years ago when I had to sort out my 1st son's visit to Nigeria. I was advised by friends not to even bother to get the Nigerian e-passport here but apply for a Nigerian visa on his British Passport and apply for his Nigerian e-passport when we get to Nigeria. 

According to them it was easier to apply for Nigerian visas at the embassy than to apply for the Nigerian e-passport. They were right, I could not believe my eyes when I got there. The front line staff were rude old men and women who had little or no clue about what they were doing and felt it was right to insult everyone that approached them. 

They were rude, unhelpful and lousy. The hall was packed full with no ventilation and these guys worked at their own pace, chatting and eating, with little or no regard for the crowd of people waiting for their services. I spent the entire day there and when I managed to submit documents, I ran out of there with my baby. I traveled back there a week after to pick up the visa. It was a very horrible experience.

Fast forward to a few months ago and I gave birth to another child, hubby and I decided to give applying for the Nigerian e-passport in London a go. We have read online about positive improvements to the Nigerian High Commission, London  and decided to try our luck.

The first step was to book and pay online. The website was user friendly and we succeeded in applying and printing off all the required documents. Next step, was to go to the NHC, London website and pick an appointment date, we did this successfully. I kept on telling my hubby to prepare for the worst as the ease of applying online does not guarantee the kind of service we will receive at the embassy.

Yesterday was the D-day and we set out very early, I packed the biggest bag I have ever packed for my kids with all sorts of food, drinks  and snacks to last us the entire day. We had committed the whole day to this assignment. Travelling there was easy and we got there a little after 10am. As we approached the door, I whispered to my hubby 'Welcome to Oshodi'. 

The first surprise was the young, courteous and well spoken security man we met at the door. He looked at our documents and said we had missed something and needed to go up the road to print it and come back. He was very helpful and described the place to us. We left and came back with the documents and he allowed us in, we got in at exactly 11am.

We looked in and there were quite a number of people waiting. Ticket number 84 was allocated to us and I sighed, 'what a wait this will be'. I looked up the counter and saw two young men attending to us, they were sharp, energetic and worked very fast. One of them called out number 75, I was surprised, that means we were not far off.

In less than 20 mins, number 84 was called and my hubby went forward, everything went smoothly and they asked him to go back and wait to be called.

Now the procedure is this, your documents are checked  by these men and then a lady comes downstairs to call up about 20 people for the biometric stage, where your picture and finger prints are captured.

Just as we got in, she had come to call up some people so it wasn't long before she came down again and lo and behold, we were called, I could not believe it. We went to the waiting room upstairs , the room is really nice, with working air conditioners and a big screen TV shoving NTA in our faces...lol. We only had to wait for 20 minutes before we were called into the biometrics room.

The guys in charge of the biometrics machines are all young ,energetic and intelligent men and women who are willing to work. I have never experienced such services from any Nigerian Parastatal. They were polite, very friendly and made a lot of jokes amongst themselves and with us. It was unheard of, my mind flashed back to the rude staff I encountered three years ago, Where were they?

I had to tell the guy that attended to us that it must be fun working here and he said 'we have to try and create our fun so we don't get frustrated'. It was indeed a beautiful experience to behold. I felt I was in any UK organisation as it was the same level of service. I kept on saying thank you to these guys. They even offered us a postal service option to receive our e -passport if we live too far away. Incredibe! 

Stella at exactly, 12.30pm we left the embassy, which means we spent a total 1.30 hours from start to finish. We had enough time to take my kids around London. I am still in shock and called my mum last night to tell her about the wonderful experience at the embassy . She had spent the whole morning praying for favour for us when I told her about our mission impossible (HAHAHAHA)

This is a clear message to all our Government Leaders and Heads of Ministries in Nigeria.

Firstly, what we need at the fore front of affairs is young, vibrant, intelligent and energetic Nigerians who can get the work done. We can replicate this in all our embassies and other parastatals where Nigerians receive services in Nigeria and  across the world. The main thing the guys at the NHC, London did was to change the front line staff and we can see the changes this policy as birthed.

Secondly, nobody had to break protocol or pay  a tout at the embassy yesterday, it was free and fair. You could not get in if you did not book an appointment and ofcourse you had to pay online. 

Lastly, being rude to people because you are in a position of power does not make you the bigger person. Not once did I hear any staff raise their voice or shout at anyone yesterday. Infact they were very patient and listened to everyone.  Automatically, we all behaved ourselves. Respect they say is reciprocal.

WE CAN DO IT.

Do I have any complains? Yes I do, there is still no access for the disabled and the room downstairs is still not well ventilated. 

We still had to lift our prams and buggies to go up and down the stairs. I wonder how severely disabled people are able to access the embassy? I am sure there can be a lasting solution to this, considering the fact that majority of the people that visit there are new mothers with their babies strapped to buggies and prams but you know what? I am very very happy.

This is saying a big well done to everyone that was involved in reforming the NHC in London. My prayer is that we continue to hear such testimonies from all sectors in Nigeria and before we know it, our country will be great again.

Thanks

BLOG VISITOR.

*Nice to know!...thank you.

Please if you have the contact,forward this report to other embassies that stress out their fellow Nigerians so that they will be shamed...lol