Diaspora Group Decries Deteriorating Conditions at Nigerian Consulate in New York

A prominent Nigerian diaspora organisation in the United States has raised serious concerns over the deplorable condition of the Nigerian Consulate and Permanent Mission building in New York, calling for urgent government intervention.

In a strongly worded statement issued on Monday, the Organisation for the Advancement of Nigerians (OAN) described the state of the Nigeria House the Manhattan high-rise that houses both the Consulate General and Nigeria’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations as “deteriorating” and “inhumane.”

According to the group’s spokesperson, Ms. Funmi Dike, the building’s central air conditioning and ventilation systems have completely collapsed, leaving staff and visitors to endure stifling indoor temperatures amid New York’s ongoing heatwave.

“Mission and consulate workers are now forced to carry handheld fans to survive the heat. This once-proud building has become a metaphor for administrative neglect and institutional failure,” Dike said.

The organisation also cited widespread infrastructure failure, including broken elevators, plumbing issues, stained ceilings, outdated fixtures, and poor sanitation — all of which have made it nearly impossible for diplomats to host dignitaries or conduct formal meetings within the premises.

“Bilateral and multilateral engagements are now being held offsite, which undermines Nigeria’s diplomatic image,” the statement added.

OAN further criticised the Nigerian government for delays in salary payments to both home-based and locally recruited staff, warning that the failure to meet basic financial obligations could lead to homelessness, legal issues, and a decline in staff professionalism.

“In a country like the U.S., where rent is non-negotiable, these delays are not just an inconvenience — they’re an attack on the dignity and survival of Nigerian workers abroad,” Dike noted.

The group emphasised that previous appeals to the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Interior have gone unanswered, deepening concerns about accountability.

“The Nigeria House is more than just real estate; it is the face of our nation to the world. Its current condition is a national disgrace,” OAN said.

The organisation stressed that its statement should be seen not as criticism, but as a call to action.

“We urge the Nigerian government to act swiftly to restore the facility and ensure that diplomatic staff are treated with the respect and care they deserve,” the statement concluded. “Let this be a turning point from neglect to responsibility, from embarrassment to pride.”