‘Shameful That South-East Has No Embassy in 2026’ — Odumeje

Popular Anambra-based cleric, Pastor Chukwuemeka Ohanaemere, popularly known as Odumeje, has criticised political and business elites in the South-East over what he described as the region’s lack of adequate diplomatic infrastructure.

Odumeje expressed concern that, according to him, residents of the South-East who need visa-related services often have to travel to Abuja or Lagos to access foreign diplomatic missions.

“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.

The cleric’s remarks were contained in a statement circulating online and reported by local media platforms.

Odumeje questioned why a region with major commercial centres such as Onitsha, Aba and Enugu should, in his view, continue to lack a significant diplomatic presence.

He argued that the situation creates additional costs and inconvenience for residents who need consular or visa-related services, particularly those who have to travel long distances to Abuja or Lagos.

The cleric also challenged South-East elites to move beyond political rhetoric and demand greater federal attention to the region’s infrastructure and economic needs.

His comments have sparked discussion online, with some Nigerians debating whether more foreign diplomatic missions or consular offices should be established outside Abuja and Lagos to improve access to visa and consular services.

However, an important distinction is that embassies are diplomatic missions representing foreign countries, while some countries operate consulates or visa application centres in other Nigerian cities. Therefore, the absence of a resident embassy in the South-East does not necessarily mean residents have no alternative consular or visa-processing arrangements.

Odumeje’s remarks nevertheless highlight his broader argument that the South-East should receive greater institutional and economic representation as part of Nigeria’s national development.