The High Commissioner

Ambassador George Adesola Oguntade His Excellency, Ambassador George Adesola Oguntade, CFR, CON

Ambassador George Adesola Oguntade, CFR, CON, High Commissioner of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to the United Kingdom assumed duty at the Nigeria High Commission on 9th October, 2017. He is a retired Justice of the Nigeria’s apex court, the Supreme Court of Nigeria.

He was born in Ijebu-Ode in the old Western Nigeria on March 10, 1940. He attended Ijebu-Ode Grammar School between 1953 and 1958. Thereafter he proceeded to Holborn College of Law [University of London], UK (1961-1964); and the Nigerian Law School, Lagos in 1965. He was called to the Nigerian Bar on January 15, 1966. He was in private legal practice for 14 years and was appointed a Judge of the Lagos State High Court in 1980, and then the Court of Appeal in 1988, and in May 19 2004, he was elevated to the highest court of the land, Supreme Court of Nigeria where he served meritoriously till March 10, 2010 having attained the mandatory retirement age of 70 years.

Undoubtedly, one of the sharpest legal minds that ever sat on the Higher Bench in Nigeria. In his service on the Bench, he made his mark in the advancement of the nation’s legal system, even at great risk to his person. His many strategic postings included Chairman, Lagos State Armed Robbery & Firearms Tribunal, Justice of the Court of Appeal, Enugu, Ibadan, and Presiding Justice, Court of Appeal in Jos, Lagos, and Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. He was finally elevated to be Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria in 2004

In the year 2005, Justice Oguntade (rtd) was conferred with the National Honours of Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON), and in 2010 Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR).

Justice Oguntade (rtd) was President of the Rotary Club of Ogba in 1985. Between 1992 and 1999, he was the Chancellor of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), and since 1992, he remained Chancellor, Anglican Diocese of Lagos till May 2017 when he was appointed as an Ambassador by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. He is a member of the Lagos Motor Boat Club, Island Club, Ikoyi Club, and Yoruba Tennis Club. He is actively interested in church and philanthropic activities.

Ambassador Oguntade is happily married to Modupeola Adewemimo and blessed with children and grand children. He enjoys playing golf.

UPDATE ON PASSPORT APPLICATION,COLLECTION, AND FAST TRACK

URGENT NOTICE

We regret to inform all passport applicants for Normal and FAST Track passport applications based on the collection of Passport, that the services are now suspended for 32 and 64 pages booklet until further notice due to technical issues surrounding transiting to the New System. However, applicants can still get their biometric done but collections will be on priority services. The High Commission implores the applicants, should come on their actual interview date and also come along with a self-address special delivery envelope. In the meantime, applicants can check for further updates by the end of the week.

    However, High Commission has transited to the use of Point of Sale (POS) in making payments for all services rendered by the High Commission. Henceforth, payments can be made using debit cards for all transactions such as loss of Passport, Fast Track and Emergency Travel Certificates (ETC).

    In view of the foregoing, the High Commission would no longer accept postal order for all services rendered by Immigration Section.

     Also having observed that a major delay in issuance of passport of applicants is caused significantly by the wrong filling of online form by some applicants, we implore applicants to ensure that they fill the online form correctly, maintaining the same order in the arrangement of names – surname, first name and middle names in their current passports.

     In addition, with a view to ease the difficulties being encountered by Nigerians during the process of renewing their passports, especially for applicants coming from outside London, the High Commission wishes to inform that applicants are at liberty to leave behind a pre-paid special delivery self-addressed envelope to enable the Mission mail back their passport.

    For applicants with urgent need to travel before their collection date, such applicants could apply for an Emergency Travel Certificate (ETC) or use the fast-track passport service available if they so desire. The High Commission wishes to assure all of its commitment to ensuring effective service delivery, and at the same time to seek the understanding and cooperation of applicants for passports.

    Applicants are also constantly reminded to use this official facility and desist from using a third party or touts to request for passport on their behalf. However, all applicants should allow ample time to process their passport whereby passport can be renewed/reissued six(6) month before it expires. Consequently, all applicants are urged not to use the App (myVisit) for their appointment as its no longer valid for appointment booking. Applicants are also advised to come strictly on the interview date printed on passport payment slip.

Thank you.


Immigration Section
Nigeria High Commission
London