Abuja, Nigeria – The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has issued a stern call to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, urging him to immediately appoint ambassadors to Nigeria’s foreign missions. The party warns that the prolonged absence of high-level diplomatic representation is damaging Nigeria’s global image and worsening the experience of Nigerians abroad.
In a statement signed by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC noted that this is the longest period in Nigeria’s history without accredited ambassadors in its foreign missions.
“Since the recall of Nigeria’s 109 ambassadors in 2023, no replacements have been named. As a result, our foreign missions are without effective leadership at a time when global diplomacy and economic engagement are more crucial than ever,” the statement read.
The ADC emphasized that junior diplomats and chargé d’affaires are not substitutes for ambassadors, as they lack the access and authority required to represent Nigeria in critical international engagements.
The party cited ongoing diplomatic and consular issues with the United States and the United Arab Emirates as examples of the consequences of this vacuum in foreign missions.
“This failure reflects a troubling lack of understanding of global diplomacy and shows how disconnected the Tinubu administration is from Nigeria’s urgent foreign policy needs,” Abdullahi said.
According to the ADC, the delay in appointing ambassadors is not only undermining Nigeria’s influence abroad but also hurting Nigerians living overseas—from students and workers to professionals—who rely on consular services that have become increasingly ineffective.
“While other nations are busy forming strategic alliances, securing trade deals, and negotiating investments, Nigeria is missing at the table because we have no ambassadors to represent our interests,” the statement added.
The ADC also condemned the handling of a recent diplomatic issue with the United States regarding the deportation of Venezuelan nationals. While supporting Nigeria’s decision not to receive the deportees, the party criticized the Foreign Affairs Minister’s public disclosure of the matter on live television as undiplomatic and ill-advised.
“Such sensitive matters should be handled discreetly through appropriate diplomatic channels—not on prime-time TV,” the party stated. “This underscores the Tinubu administration’s preference for theatrics over sound policy.”
The ADC concluded by calling on President Tinubu to immediately appoint ambassadors to restore Nigeria’s voice in international affairs and avoid further foreign policy embarrassment.
Signed:
Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi
National Publicity Secretary
African Democratic Congress (ADC)
