The Muslim Public Affairs Centre (MPAC) has expressed strong criticism of the Nigeria High Commission in London regarding its selection of venues for the December 2025 Passport Intervention Exercise. The organisation highlighted concerns that the exclusive use of church-owned facilities undermines Nigeria’s religious diversity and breaches the principle of government neutrality in the provision of public services.
In a statement signed by MPAC’s Executive Chairman, Disu Kamor, the group revealed that all the designated venues for the passport exercise in cities such as Birmingham, Cardiff, Glasgow, Swansea, and Aberdeen are either owned by the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) or were previously affiliated with the denomination. Some of these locations no longer display the RCCG name publicly but remain under its ownership.
MPAC emphasised that this pattern of venue selection cannot be dismissed as a mere coincidence or logistical necessity. The organisation described the situation as “unmistakable, deeply troubling, and contrary to the constitutional and moral duties of the Nigerian government to maintain religious neutrality.”
The group stressed that Nigerian Muslims and other citizens residing in the United Kingdom should not be compelled to enter venues associated with a different faith tradition to access essential national services. MPAC warned that such practices risk alienating parts of the diaspora community, eroding trust, and sending a message of exclusion.
“This approach, whether intentional or a result of poor judgement, is profoundly insensitive,” the statement noted.
MPAC pointed out the religious diversity within Nigeria’s diaspora in the UK and argued that the choice of venues appears to align a public institution with a particular religious group. The organisation has called on the Nigeria High Commission to urgently reconsider and replace these venues with neutral locations such as council halls, civic centres, community centres, or school halls—places that are commonly used for public and diaspora activities.
Furthermore, MPAC urged the Commission to implement a transparent venue-selection policy to ensure fairness and prevent any form of institutional bias in the future.
The group also demanded an explanation from the High Commission on the rationale behind the choice of venues and requested clear steps to avoid a repeat of the situation.
“Government services must not add to the challenges Nigerians abroad already face,” MPAC warned, adding that the exclusive use of one denomination’s venues “fuels suspicion and undermines the unity” that national institutions should foster.
Reaffirming its commitment to promoting justice and fairness in all public processes affecting Nigerians, MPAC stressed that institutions representing the country overseas must reflect the nation’s pluralistic identity.
“Our expectation is straightforward and reasonable: national institutions must represent the entire nation, not a single religious denomination,” the statement concluded.
