Kehinde Fajobi
The Federal Government has commenced the deployment of consular officers to various diplomatic missions abroad, 14 months after recalling 83 ambassadors in September 2023.
However, the ambassadorial appointments remain delayed, raising concerns over Nigeria’s diplomatic presence on the global stage.
The recall, initiated shortly after President Bola Tinubu’s inauguration, was described as part of efforts to realign Nigeria’s foreign policy.
The envoys, both career and non-career, were instructed to return to Nigeria by October 31, 2023. Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Yusuf Tuggar, explained at the time, “Ambassadors serve at the President’s behest, and it is his prerogative to send or recall them.”
Despite this strategy, the government has yet to name replacements, leaving a diplomatic void that critics say undermines Nigeria’s international engagements.
The delay has been attributed to financial constraints. On May 28, Tuggar cited “lack of funds” as the main reason for the holdup.
Amb. Eche Abu-Ode, a former Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson, noted, “Funds may be included in the supplementary budget, but for now, there is no clear way forward.”
To fill this gap temporarily, the government appointed 12 consuls-general and five chargés d’affaires in April 2024 to represent Nigeria in 14 countries.
However, these positions lack the authority to engage in high-level diplomacy, such as meeting heads of state or participating in critical negotiations.
A senior Ministry of Foreign Affairs official, speaking anonymously to The PUNCH, revealed ongoing deployments of consular officers.
“They are deploying them to our various missions and embassies abroad. Some are going to Malaysia and Spain, while others will go to Brazil, where the President participated in the G20 Summit,” the source said.
Another official confirmed, “Some of us left last week. Others even left the last two weeks. But I’m going later this month. They have brought new hands from the Ministry to replace us here [at the State House] because we are being posted out of the country.”
Diplomatic experts and retired ambassadors have raised alarms over the prolonged absence of ambassadors.
Retired Nigerian Ambassador to Mexico, Ogbole Amedu-Ode, remarked, “That diplomatic missions are without substantive heads for a short period is widely acceptable. But their absence over a year leaves so much to be desired, especially against the backdrop of the Ministry’s funding challenges.”
Similarly, retired Consul to Cameroon Amb. Rasheed Akinkuolie warned of the consequences of operating missions without resident ambassadors.
“Chargés d’affaires may not be able to relate with host governments at the highest level, which includes heads of state. Host governments might even question why Nigeria has not replaced its recalled ambassadors,” he said.
Akinkuolie proposed reforms, including funding diplomatic missions through dedicated dollar accounts at the Central Bank of Nigeria to ensure steady financial support.
He also urged the government to streamline the process of deploying ambassadors.
Opposition parties criticised the Tinubu administration for the delay. PDP Deputy National Youth Leader Timothy Osadolor described the situation as “unfortunate” and accused the government of ineffectiveness.
He stated, “This government’s ineptitude and indifference to critical national issues are disheartening. The failure to appoint ambassadors over a year after recalling them speaks volumes.”
Osadolor alleged that the President might be unaware of the situation, claiming, “The people around him have boxed him into a cocoon. The man lives in a world of his own, isolated from what’s happening around him.”
Labour Party National Publicity Secretary Obiora Ifoh lamented the administration’s lack of a clear foreign policy.
“The implication is that a consul or consul-general cannot meet with foreign ministers of any nation. It takes an ambassador to present the position of a country to his country of residence,” he said.
Ifoh further criticised the government’s approach to foreign investments, noting, “To even think this government touts itself as one going around seeking foreign investments, yet fails to appoint ambassadors, is a big low for Nigeria. The President should wake up to his responsibilities.”