HOUSTON, TEXAS – In a bid to deepen ties between Nigeria and the United States, the Mayor of Houston, John Whitmire, has called for the establishment of a Nigerian Consulate in Houston and the commencement of direct flights between Nigeria and the city.
The request was conveyed during a diplomatic meeting between Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman/CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), and Mayor Pro Tem Martha Castex-Tatum, who represented Mayor Whitmire at the engagement held in Texas.
Whitmire’s administration noted that Houston plays host to one of the largest Nigerian populations in the United States and believes that having a consulate and direct air connectivity would significantly enhance consular services, trade, and diaspora engagement.
“These initiatives would not only foster closer diplomatic relations but also make life easier for the Nigerian community here,” the Mayor’s office stated.
In response, Dabiri-Erewa assured that the Nigerian government, through the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Aviation, was actively reviewing both requests.
Describing the discussions as “productive and forward-looking,” Dabiri-Erewa expressed optimism about future collaborations between Nigeria and the city of Houston.
Also present at the meeting were Ambassador Chigozie Obi, former Nigerian envoy to Liberia; Mr. Kunle “Kay” Elegbede, International Community Relations Manager; Toni Jenkins, Consular Relations Manager; Isabella Benavides, International Affairs Liaison; and Yorke Sydney, a young intern at the Mayor’s office who expressed admiration for Dabiri-Erewa’s career journey from journalism to public service.
The meeting underscored Houston’s continued interest in strengthening people-to-people ties with Nigeria, especially through diaspora-focused initiatives.
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