By Gloria Ikibah.
Foreign diplomatic missions in Nigeria have been cautioned against making unguarded comments, disparaging remarks or unsolicited lectures on democracy as the country prepares for the 2027 general elections.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, issued the warning on Thursday during her first formal briefing with members of the Diplomatic Corps since assuming office, on Thursday in Abuja.
The Minister said Nigeria recognised the regional and international implications of developments in the country but expected foreign missions to respect its sovereignty and established diplomatic channels.
She said: “As the 2027 General Elections draw near, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs would request that Mission remain guided, recognizing that as the largest democracy in Africa that developments in Nigeria have regional and international implications, we would not accept unguarded comments, disparaging remarks, or unsolicited lectures on democracy from any country or international organization, the Government of President Tinubu is committed to democracy and delivering an election that would be peaceful, free, fair and credible in all ramifications.”
The warning formed part of a broader call for stronger relations between Nigeria and the diplomatic community, with Odumegwu-Ojukwu urging foreign missions to engage the government through established diplomatic channels and on the basis of mutual respect.
She said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs remained the official channel between diplomatic missions and the Nigerian Government, including the Presidency, ministries, departments and agencies.
The Minister explained that the arrangement was intended to ensure proper coordination and avoid conflicting information, duplication and misunderstandings.
“The Ministry is not an obstacle between you and the Nigerian Government; we are your bridge to the Nigerian Government”, she said.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu also called for greater attention to economic diplomacy, saying Nigeria’s foreign policy under President Bola Tinubu was anchored on the Four Ds — Demography, Development, Democracy and Diaspora.
She said the policy was designed to place Nigerians and their interests at the centre of the country’s international engagements, while maintaining Nigeria’s commitment to Africa and constructive relations with the wider world.
The Minister also reaffirmed Nigeria’s pursuit of strategic autonomy in its international relations, stressing that the approach did not amount to isolation.
“Strategic autonomy does not mean isolation; it means preserving Nigeria’s sovereign right to determine the relationships and positions that best serve our people”, Ambassador Odumegwu-Ojukwu said.
Nigeria seeks more tangible diplomatic gains
Odumegwu-Ojukwu said the Ministry will pay renewed attention to dormant Joint Commissions and Bi-national Commissions, some of which, she said, had remained inactive because of administrative and logistical challenges.
According to her, the mechanisms will be revitalised to advance cooperation in trade, investment, security, education, technology, health, agriculture and other areas of mutual interest.
“Ultimately, the strength of our diplomatic relationships should be measured not only by the warmth of our engagements, but by the tangible benefits they produce for our respective peoples”, the Minister said.
She therefore urged diplomatic missions to work with Nigeria to deepen trade and investment, strengthen cooperation on peace and security, advance education, health and technological innovation, and create greater opportunities for citizens.
On consular matters, the Minister urged foreign missions to review visa procedures for Nigerian applicants, particularly where processing delays affect legitimate travellers, students, business people and families.
“While we fully respect the sovereign right of every country to determine its visa policy, excessively long waiting periods can create considerable difficulties for legitimate travelers, students, businesspersons and families. We therefore encourage greater efficiency, transparency and responsiveness wherever possible”, she stated.
She also assured members of the Diplomatic Corps that the safety and welfare of foreign diplomats remained a priority for the Nigerian Government.
Nigeria, she said, remained conscious of its obligations under the Vienna Conventions, including the protection of diplomatic and consular personnel, their families, premises and property.
“We want you to feel safe, enjoy your assignments and ultimately leave Nigeria with positive memories of our country and our people”, she stated.
Nigeria backs dialogue, multilateralism
The Minister said Nigeria will continue to promote dialogue, multilateralism and peaceful resolution of disputes while remaining active in ECOWAS, the African Union, the United Nations, the Commonwealth and other international institutions.
“Nigeria will therefore continue to champion dialogue, multilateralism and peaceful resolution of disputes, while remaining active within ECOWAS, the African Union, the United Nations, the Commonwealth and other international institutions. We will continue to advocate an international system in which Africa’s voice is heard and the continent participates meaningfully in shaping global decisions”, the Minister said.
She said Nigeria was open to trade, investment, tourism, technology, knowledge transfer and other meaningful partnerships, but stressed that such relationships should be based on reciprocity, sovereign equality and mutual respect.
“At a time of increasing geopolitical complexity, conflicts, terrorism, climate change, cyber insecurity, irregular migration and economic uncertainty remind us that no country can confront today’s challenges alone”, she noted.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu said the Ministry will also continue efforts to facilitate the accreditation of foreign diplomats and improve the processing of agréments for Nigerian ambassadors.
She acknowledged the cooperation of foreign governments in processing Nigeria’s ambassadorial nominees and said Abuja was taking steps to facilitate the commencement of duties by ambassadors and high commissioners accredited to Nigeria.
The Minister described the diplomatic briefing as the beginning of closer engagement between the Ministry and foreign missions, calling for frank discussions, constructive dialogue and mutual respect.
“I want us to speak frankly, engage constructively and resolve issues through dialogue, established diplomatic channels and mutual respect.
“The true measure of our relationships will not be the number of meetings we hold or communiqués we issue. It will be the progress we achieve for our peoples, the investments we facilitate, the opportunities we create, the challenges we resolve and the friendships we strengthen.
“Let us move forward together in a spirit of constructive dialogue, reciprocal respect, mutual confidence and shared prosperity”, she said.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu assured that Nigeria remained ready to work with the international community while keeping its national interests at the centre of its foreign policy.
