The Muslim Public Affairs Centre (MPAC) has launched a strong condemnation of the Nigeria High Commission in the United Kingdom over its choice of venues for an upcoming crucial consular service.
Exclusive Use of Church Facilities Sparks Outcry
In a statement released on Saturday, 6th December 2025, the organization accused the diplomatic mission of selecting venues affiliated solely with the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) for its December 2025 Passport Intervention Exercise across the UK. Disu Kamor, the Executive Chairman of MPAC, revealed that their review of the official list showed all seven host cities would utilize facilities owned by, linked to, or originally established by the RCCG.
MPAC emphasized that this arrangement persists even where the church's name is no longer visibly attached to the buildings. The group labeled the situation as "deeply troubling" and fundamentally inappropriate for serving a highly diverse Nigerian diaspora population that includes Muslims, Christians from various denominations, and non-religious citizens.
A Constitutional Obligation of Neutrality
The centre stressed that the High Commission, as an arm of the Nigerian state, holds a constitutional duty to maintain strict religious neutrality, especially when delivering essential public services like passport issuance. MPAC argued that the uniformity in venue selection "cannot be explained away as coincidence," raising serious questions about a potential alignment—whether deliberate or inadvertent—between a government office and a single religious denomination.
"This is unfair to Nigerians who may be uncomfortable entering a worship space of another faith in order to obtain a basic government service," the organization stated, highlighting the practical and ethical dilemma faced by many.
Calls for Immediate Action and Policy Reform
In response to this perceived bias, MPAC has issued clear demands to the Nigeria High Commission in London:
- Immediately replace the controversial locations with neutral, non-religious venues such as civic centres, council buildings, school halls, or community centres.
- Develop transparent and inclusive policies for future venue selection.
- Engage in wider consultation with diverse Nigerian community organizations across the UK.
The group warned that allowing such perceptions of religious bias in government operations could severely damage public trust and exacerbate existing divisions within the diaspora community. MPAC reiterated its commitment to advocating for fairness, equity, and inclusivity in all public service delivery for Nigerians living abroad.
Concluding the statement, Disu Kamor made a powerful declaration: "National institutions must reflect the nation, not a denomination." This incident underscores ongoing concerns about representation and equal access for all Nigerians, regardless of faith, in the conduct of official affairs overseas.
