The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to fill vacant ambassadorial posts, warning that the prolonged delay is harming Nigeria’s global standing and exposing citizens abroad to risks
The call was contained in a statement, the party accused the APC led-government of negligence, warning that the absence of duly accredited envoys could lead to diplomatic downgrades by other nations.
Since President Tinubu recalled Nigeria’s 109 ambassadors in 2023, not a single replacement has been appointed, leaving critical diplomatic posts vacant for nearly two years. The ADC described the situation as “unprecedented and embarrassing,” noting that Nigeria has never gone this long without ambassadors in its foreign missions.
“This is the longest Nigeria has ever gone without duly accredited ambassadors in any of its foreign missions,” said Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC’s National Publicity Secretary. “If this embarrassing absence is allowed to continue, other countries will soon start to downgrade Nigeria, and our people will bear the brunt.”
The party argued that junior diplomats and chargés d’affaires cannot effectively represent Nigeria’s interests, as they lack the recognition and authority of full ambassadors.
This diplomatic vacuum, the ADC warned, has already led to strained relations with key nations, including the United States and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), where visa and consular issues have escalated.
“A most recent consequence of this vacuum is the escalation of visa and other consular issues between Nigeria and the duo of the United States and UAE,” Abdullahi stated. “Yet, the government has failed to demonstrate any urgency to remedy this embarrassing situation.”
The ADC further criticised the Tinubu administration for what it called a “lack of understanding” of Nigeria’s diplomatic needs, accusing the government of prioritising political patronage over national interest. While other African nations actively engage in global diplomacy, securing trade deals and strategic alliances, Nigeria remains sidelined due to its lack of high-level representation.
“While countries across the world are busy forming alliances, negotiating trade deals, and securing investment agreements for their nations, Nigeria is not in the room because we have no high-level diplomatic representation in our missions across the world,” Abdullahi said. “While the rest of Africa asserts its presence in Washington, Beijing, and Moscow, Nigeria is stuck in neutral, unable even to introduce ourselves.”
The ADC noted that Nigerian students, professionals, and workers overseas are suffering due to weakened diplomatic support, while morale among foreign service officers has hit an all-time low.
“All over the world, Nigeria’s consular services have become even weaker, the morale among foreign service professionals is at its lowest, and our diplomatic missions have become a sorry symbol of a country that no longer takes itself seriously,” Abdullahi lamented.
The party also took aim at the government’s handling of a recent diplomatic row with the United States over the proposed deportation of Venezuelan nationals to Nigeria. While the ADC supported Nigeria’s rejection of the request, it criticised Foreign Affairs Minister Yusuf Tuggar for publicly announcing the decision on a television programme rather than through discreet diplomatic channels.
“Such sensitive diplomatic communications with an important and powerful partner like the United States could have been handled with greater discretion,” Abdullahi said. “But then, this is a government that has favoured showiness over thoughtful policies.”
The ADC’s statement comes amid growing concerns over Nigeria’s diminishing influence on the global stage.
“President Tinubu should appoint ambassadors now to save Nigeria any further foreign policy embarrassment,” Abdullahi urged.
“This inexplicable failure has affected the quality of our engagement and relationships with the countries hosting our missions all over the world.”
Discussion about this post