Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday dismissed reports by the African Democratic Congress (ADC) on Nigeria’s foreign representation and ambassadorial appointments as misleading
The ministry in a statement issued in Abuja by Alkasim Abdulkadir, Special Assistant on Media and Communications Strategy to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, said the report is false on Nigeria’s diplomatic posture.
ADC’s reported Nigeria’s diplomatic missions had become sorry symbols under President Bola Tinubu’s administration, the ministry described such as alarmist, politically motivated and fundamentally misinformed about operational realities of international diplomacy.
According to the ministry, Nigeria remains fully and effectively represented in all of its foreign missions by seasoned diplomats and experienced chargés d’affaires.
“These professionals continue to advance Nigeria’s interests, uphold consular services, facilitate trade and investment, while safeguarding the welfare of its citizens abroad. To suggest otherwise is inaccurate and affront to the commitment of Nigeria’s foreign service officers.
“Recent high-level engagements by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Yusuf Tuggar, demonstrate Nigeria’s robust external relations.
“These include strategic meetings with the U.S. State Department, Foreign Ministers of the UK, Germany, China, Japan, and Egypt, as well as active participation in forums such as BRICS, the African Union, and ECOWAS.
“The appointment of ambassadors is a sovereign function and not a matter to be rushed for political convenience or partisan appeasement.”
It explained that President Tinubu Renewed Hope Agenda is committed to reforming the Foreign Service architecture to ensure future postings are driven by merit, competence, national interest and strategic alignment rather than patronage.
It also reaffirmed that ambassadorial appointments would be made in due course and with the solemnity deserved, saying the ADC’s report is not only false, but insulting to the hardworking men and women of Nigeria’s Foreign Service.
The ministry dismissed the claim that Nigeria mishandled the reported U.S. proposal to accept Venezuelan deportees, saying Nigeria’s response was clear, principled and consistent with its sovereign rights.
“Diplomacy must not be used as a tool for partisan attacks. Nigeria’s global reputation is too valuable to be undermined by sensationalism and domestic political point-scoring,” it said.
The ministry restated its focus on constructive diplomacy, protecting Nigeria’s global interests and restoring credibility to Foreign Service operations through thoughtful reforms and principled engagement.
It urged political actors and commentators to exercise restraint, responsibility and national consciousness in matters relating to foreign policy, “Diplomacy is built on consistency, discretion and strategic clarity not populism,” it state