The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has issued a stern warning to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, decrying the prolonged absence of ambassadors in Nigeria’s foreign missions and cautioning that the delay could severely damage the country’s global standing and diplomatic relationships.
In a statement released by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC described the current situation as the longest Nigeria has ever gone without duly accredited ambassadors since independence. It said the failure to fill these vital diplomatic roles nearly two years after recalling 109 ambassadors reflects a troubling lack of urgency and vision in the Tinubu administration.
“Since President Bola Ahmed Tinubu recalled Nigeria’s 109 ambassadors from across the world in 2023, none has been replaced, leaving our country without a voice or representation when critical decisions are being made globally,” the statement read.
The party noted that junior diplomats and chargés d’affaires cannot effectively represent Nigeria’s interests, especially in complex diplomatic environments that require high-level engagement and negotiation.
“The consequences are already unfolding,” the statement continued, citing worsening visa and consular issues between Nigeria and key countries like the United States and the United Arab Emirates. “This government’s inexplicable delay in appointing ambassadors is affecting the quality of our international relationships, and if this continues, host countries may begin downgrading their own diplomatic presence in Nigeria as a form of protest.”
The ADC further criticized the administration’s handling of a recent diplomatic incident involving a U.S. request for Nigeria to receive deported Venezuelans, calling the public response from Nigeria’s Foreign Minister “reckless” and a sign of diplomatic incompetence.
“Such delicate matters should be handled with discretion and professionalism—not through showy public statements. But sadly, this is a government more invested in optics than substance,” the party stated.
The ADC also lamented the deteriorating conditions at Nigerian embassies worldwide, low staff morale among foreign service officers, and the increasing helplessness of Nigerians abroad seeking consular support.
“While other African nations are aggressively pursuing trade deals and foreign investments, Nigeria is not even in the room—because we have no ambassadors,” the statement read. “We are being left behind in global diplomacy.”
The party concluded by urging President Tinubu to immediately appoint ambassadors, warning that any further delay would only deepen Nigeria’s diplomatic isolation and weaken its influence on the global stage.
Comments