The Ministry said in a statement signed by Special Assistant on Media and Communications Strategy to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Alkasim Abdulkadir, on Tuesday that Nigeria is still well-represented in all missions by seasoned diplomats and seasoned chargés d’affaires who continue to advance national interests abroad.
The Ministry also mentioned President Bola Tinubu’s continued commitment to developing a professional diplomatic corps that reflects national priorities and global realities, as well as recent high-level engagements by Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, including strategic meetings with counterparts from the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, China, Japan, and Egypt, as well as Nigeria’s active participation in multilateral forums like BRICS, the African Union, and ECOWAS.
“The appointment of ambassadors is a sovereign function, not a matter to be rushed for political convenience or partisan appeasement,” the statement reads in part.
In keeping with his Renewed Hope Agenda, President Tinubu is dedicated to changing the foreign service structure so that future postings are motivated by competence, national interest, merit, and strategic alignment rather than expediency or favoritism.
The Ministry reiterates that these appointments will be made with the appropriate solemnity and in due course.
In addition to being untrue, the ADC’s claim that Nigerian missions have turned into “sorry symbols” is demeaning to the diligent men and women who serve abroad. Although the Ministry admits that there have been financial and structural issues for a long time, even before the current administration, it is completely false to say that morale is at its “lowest.” Despite very challenging conditions, Nigerian ambassadors continue to serve with distinction.
Political opportunism and a lack of knowledge about foreign policy procedures are evident in the ADC’s remarks. Partisan attacks must not be launched through diplomacy. Sensationalism and local political point-scoring are too valuable to damage Nigeria’s standing abroad.
The Ministry maintained that Nigeria acted within its rights despite claims that it mishandled a reported U.S. proposal to receive deported Venezuelan nationals.
It says, “The idea that the Foreign Minister’s public statement of Nigeria’s stance was a diplomatic blunder misses the reality of contemporary diplomacy, when responsible communication and transparency are becoming more and more important.
“With careful reforms and principled engagement, the Ministry is committed to restoring credibility to foreign service operations, safeguarding Nigeria’s international interests, and engaging in constructive diplomacy.”
It also exhorted political figures and pundits to be responsible and restrained when discussing foreign policy issues.
