The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has strongly criticized President Bola Tinubu for failing to appoint ambassadors to Nigeria’s foreign missions, warning that the continued delay is damaging the country’s global image and weakening its diplomatic engagements.
In a statement released on Sunday by the party’s Interim National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC described the prolonged absence of Nigerian ambassadors as “embarrassing” and a serious threat to the nation’s international standing. The party noted that for over two years, Nigeria has lacked formal diplomatic representation in key countries, a situation it said could lead to other nations downgrading their diplomatic ties with Nigeria.
“Since President Tinubu recalled all 109 ambassadors in 2023, not a single replacement has been made. This has left Nigeria without proper representation at crucial global forums where major decisions affecting our country are taken,” the statement read.
The ADC stressed that the vacuum at Nigeria’s missions abroad has worsened visa and consular issues, particularly with countries like the United States and the United Arab Emirates. It pointed out that chargé d’affaires currently running these missions lack the stature and influence of fully accredited ambassadors, thereby limiting Nigeria’s effectiveness on the global stage.
“This failure has weakened our diplomatic leverage and damaged the quality of engagement between Nigeria and host countries,” Abdullahi said. “If this neglect persists, we risk a reciprocal reduction of foreign representation in Nigeria.”
The party further accused the Tinubu administration of lacking strategic focus in foreign policy, warning that Nigeria’s absence from high-level discussions on trade, investment, and global cooperation is costing the nation valuable opportunities.
“While other nations are actively forming new alliances and signing investment deals, Nigeria is conspicuously absent from the conversation, simply because we have no high-level diplomats to speak on our behalf,” the statement added.
The ADC also took aim at the government’s handling of a recent diplomatic row involving a U.S. request for Nigeria to accept deported Venezuelan nationals. The party labeled the response given by the Minister of Foreign Affairs during a live television interview as “reckless and inappropriate,” stressing that such sensitive matters should be addressed through official diplomatic channels.
“We support the government’s position on the matter, but we are appalled that it was discussed so casually on national television. Interactions with a strategic partner like the United States should be handled with the utmost diplomacy,” the party stated.
The ADC called on President Tinubu to act urgently to fill the ambassadorial vacancies and restore Nigeria’s voice on the international stage.
“The longer we wait, the more damage is done to our international relationships and national interest. The President must move quickly to restore Nigeria’s global presence and credibility,” the statement concluded.
