Abdullahi Madobi Prays for Resources to set up Befitting Embassy in Turkey

Abdullahi Madobi, the Minister Counsellor of the Nigerian Embassy in Turkey, has opened up on the myriad of issues confronting Nigerians living in Turkey and Northern Cyprus.

Madobi, who received a delegation of Nigerian journalists at the embassy in Ankara, delved into the complexities of scholarship opportunities, consular services, and defence cooperation.

He revealed that the current economic situation in Nigeria has hindered the construction of a new embassy, despite the Turkish government’s allocation of land for the project.

Madobi expressed optimism that the embassy would eventually secure the necessary resources to build a more visible and better-equipped facility.

The diplomat also touched on the significant presence of Nigerian students in the region, estimating that around 10,000 Nigerians, including 3,000 students, reside in Turkey, with similar numbers in Northern Cyprus.

However, he noted that the embassy faces challenges in supporting the growing student population, particularly with regards to scholarships.

Madobi highlighted the disparity in tuition fees between Nigerian and Turkish students, even in private universities, describing it as a “ticking time bomb.”

Despite these challenges, he assured that the embassy remains committed to providing support to Nigerian students.

The minister counsellor also shed light on the embassy’s delicate role in Northern Cyprus, where diplomatic recognition issues complicate consular operations.

He explained that the embassy uses “backdoor channels” to provide consular services to Nigerians in the region, while avoiding any actions that could embarrass Nigeria internationally.

On the issue of national security, Madobi emphasized the importance of Nigeria’s defence partnership with Turkey. He also addressed concerns about access to consular services outside Ankara, revealing that the embassy conducts consular visits and has an online registration system in place.