100 CSOs Oppose Jimoh Ibrahim’s Diplomatic Appointment, Petition Tinubu, UN

More than 100 civil society organisations (CSOs) have petitioned President Bola Tinubu and United Nations (UN) Secretary-General António Guterres, calling for a review of the appointment of Senator Jimoh Ibrahim as Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the UN.

In an open letter, the coalition, comprising 103 advocacy groups and non-governmental organisations, raised concerns over what it described as “publicly documented financial liabilities and ongoing legal proceedings” linked to Ibrahim’s business interests.

The groups stressed that Nigeria’s Permanent Mission to the UN represents “the sovereign voice of over 220 million Nigerians within the multilateral system,” warning that its credibility is “directly linked to the integrity, legal standing, and public record of its representative.”

Central to the petition were allegations tied to unpaid salaries and entitlements owed to over 300 former employees of the defunct NICON Airways, dating back to May 2007.

According to the letter, the National Industrial Court of Nigeria awarded N1.5 billion in favour of the workers in 2013, a judgement reportedly upheld by the Court of Appeal of Nigeria in 2017.

The coalition added that issues relating to salary arrears and pension obligations remained subject to ongoing proceedings before the Federal High Court of Nigeria in Lagos.

They further referenced a 10-count charge filed by the defunct Federal Inland Revenue Service—now known as the Nigeria Revenue Service—before a Federal High Court in Abuja over alleged tax liabilities connected to Air Nigeria.

“These proceedings remain before the court,” the letter noted.

While acknowledging that the National Assembly had previously cleared Ibrahim of personal wrongdoing in relation to aviation intervention funds, the CSOs argued that the broader issue of public fund recovery remained unresolved and of public interest.

They warned that diplomatic appointments serve as a reflection of a country’s governance standards.

“Diplomatic appointments are instruments of state. They signal a country’s commitment to the rule of law, institutional integrity, and governance standards,” the letter stated.

“Publicly documented legal and financial matters may attract scrutiny and raise questions about consistency in the application of domestic laws and standards.”

The coalition urged the Federal Government to provide clarity on the status of ongoing legal cases and enforcement actions, particularly those before the Federal High Court and involving public institutions.

Beyond the immediate concerns, the groups called for a comprehensive review of the appointment and greater transparency in the vetting process for senior diplomatic roles.

“Assurance that appointments to positions of international representation are consistent with Nigeria’s stated commitments to the rule of law and institutional accountability is essential,” the letter read.

They also linked their demands to Nigeria’s governance frameworks, including the National Ethics and Integrity Policy and the National Values Charter, which emphasise accountability, transparency, and personal responsibility in public service.

“This issue extends beyond a single appointment. It concerns the coherence between Nigeria’s legal processes, its governance frameworks, and the standards applied in public service,” the coalition added.

“Nigeria’s credibility, both domestically and internationally, is strengthened when institutions demonstrate consistency, transparency, and adherence to due process.”

The petition was endorsed by a wide range of prominent organisations, including BudgIT Foundation, Centre for Democracy and Development, Yiaga Africa, Connected Development (CODE), and Women in Management, Business and Public Service, among others.

Collectively, the signatories represent a broad coalition spanning governance, gender advocacy, anti-corruption, and civic engagement sectors.

As of press time, there has been no official response from the Presidency or Nigeria’s Mission to the United Nations regarding the petition.

LEADERSHIP reports that before his nomination as Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the UN by President Tinubu in 2025, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim was representing Ondo South senatorial district of Ondo State in the 10th Senate.