Popular Anambra-based cleric Pastor Chukwuemeka Ohanaemere, popularly known as Odumeje, has criticised the lack of foreign embassies in Nigeria’s South-East, describing the situation as shameful.
Odumeje made the comment while speaking about the difficulties residents of the region face when seeking visas to travel outside the country.
According to the cleric, residents who need to process visas are often required to travel to Abuja or Lagos, creating additional costs and logistical challenges for people living in the South-East.
“All the elites in Igboland are busy making noise. It’s so shameful that in 2026, there is no embassy in the South-East. Before anyone can get a visa, he or she must travel to Abuja or Lagos,” Odumeje said.
His remarks have drawn attention to the wider concerns over access to diplomatic and visa services outside Nigeria’s major administrative and commercial centres.
Foreign embassies in Nigeria are largely concentrated in Abuja, while some countries operate consulates or other diplomatic offices in cities such as Lagos. This means residents in other regions may have to travel significant distances depending on the country whose visa or consular service they require.
Odumeje’s criticism also appeared to question the role of political and business elites from the South-East in pushing for greater access to services and infrastructure within the region.
The cleric did not propose a specific country or diplomatic mission that should establish an office in the South-East, but his comments have reignited discussion about whether more diplomatic and visa services should be decentralised across Nigeria.
For many residents, such a move could reduce the financial and logistical burden associated with travelling to Abuja or Lagos for visa-related appointments, particularly where physical attendance is required.
Odumeje’s statement has therefore added a fresh voice to the ongoing conversation about regional development, accessibility and the distribution of important services across Nigeria.
