US CONSULATE IN KANO(March 14, 2012 press release)

US CONSULATE IN KANO The United States plans to establish a consulate in Kano in order to have a diplomatic presence in northern Nigeria. A new consulate in Kano would be an addition to the over 70 U.S. consulates throughout the world, including the U.S. Consulate General in Lagos. Consulates are regional diplomatic offices. A consulate in Kano would allow for stronger commercial and economic ties between the U.S. and northern Nigeria, further educational exchanges and other public diplomacy programs, and allow the U.S. government to better provide services to U.S. citizens living in the north. The United States has historically had an official presence in northern Nigeria. For many years, the U.S. staffed a consulate in Kaduna, which closed when the Embassy was relocated from Lagos to Abuja, and Lagos was re-designated as a Consulate General. Planning for a new consulate in Kano has been underway for some time; U.S. government officials have already met with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Kano State officials to discuss the plans. Information Office Public Affairs Section Embassy of the United States of America Plot 1075 Diplomatic Drive Central Business District Abuja, F.C.T. Tel: 09-461-4000