The Consulate General of Nigeria, situated in the city of Douala, was initially opened in 1972 and closed twice in 1984 and 1989 respectively. The Consulate was re-opened again in 1992 in response to the yearnings and cries of Nigerians based in Douala, following an incessant violation of their rights and privileges by host government officials, security and law enforcement agents by way of victimization, discriminatory treatment, extortion, brutalization, etc. In arriving at the decision, due consideration was given to the centrality of Douala, as a major city in the Central African Sub-region, the sheer number of Nigerians in the city and adjoining coastline numbering about three (3) million as well as the overriding need to provide consular protection to fledging Nigerian businesses in the city which are often the target of a ploy to rid Cameroon of Nigerian businesses through retainership and excessive taxation by corrupt tax and security agents.
Ever since, the role of the Mission has expanded to include the issuance of the machine-readable passports (the only centre in the Central African sub-region), as well as issuance of visas and temporary work permits to qualified European, Asian and other entrepreneurs resident in Cameroon or in transit but desirous of setting up businesses in Nigeria. With the new introduction by the government of the e-passport machines in our Missions abroad, we believe, and considering the centrality of Douala in the Central African sub-region, that the Mission has been proposed blessed with the installation of the passport machine.

1. OFFICIAL AREAS OF COVERAGE:

Statutorily, Douala Consulate-General’s area of jurisdiction consists of two of the ten (10) regions of Cameroon, namely the Littoral Region (with Douala as Capital) and the West Region (with Bafoussam as Capital).  Douala is Cameroon’s largest city and economic nerve-centre.  In fact, it is the economic capital of the country with almost all the major private companies and enterprises locating their head offices and factories/showrooms/warehouses in and around the city.  The city is also the entry and exit port (gateway) not only for Cameroon but indeed to the entire Central African Sub-region namely, Chad, Central African Republic, Gabon, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Republic of Congo and Equatorial Guinea.  Douala International Airport services flight connections to N’djamena, Chad; Bangui, CAR; Brazzaville, Republic of Congo; Bata and Malabo in Equatorial Guinea; Luanda, Angola; Johannesburg, South Africa; Nairobi, Kenya; and Cotonou, Benin Republic.  Douala seaport also serves the whole region.

2. NIGERIANS IN CAMEROON:

There are an estimated seven (7) million Nigerians in Cameroon out of which both the Littoral and Western Regions are estimated to harbour the largest concentration of about three (3) million with which Nigerian Consulate-General, Douala provides Consular services/assistance regularly.

The presence of Nigerians in Cameroon in large numbers is attributable to a number of factors chief among which are the historical connection between the two countries (parts of British Cameroon having been administered from Nigeria) and the mutual visa waiver agreement between the two countries dating back to 1972 under which nationals of each country can travel to the other without any visa provided they are not exceeding the agreed ninety (90) days of stay.

There are basically four (4) categories of Nigerians in our area of jurisdiction namely;

• the traders and artisans in and around the markets of Douala and other cities,
• the Fishermen out in the Fishing Ports and settlements of the Littoral Region,
• the Farmers in the various agrarian Communities in the two Regions, especially the Littoral and,
• the burgeoning group of professionals in Douala (working for such Multinational Companies and Organizations like UBA CAMEROON, DANGOTE CEMENTS CAMEROON, AIRPEACE LIMITED, MRS CORLEY AND ACCESS BANK PLC etc.). Some of these companies and organizations are, in fact, headed by Nigerians, while all of them boast of highly skilled Nigerians in their top management.  Early in the year 2009, Oceanic Bank joined such companies to partner with Union Bank of Cameroon which was almost becoming insolvent and now having a Nigerian in its top management.