Nigerian Diaspora Seeks More Merit-based Appointments

The Organisation for the Advancement of Nigerians (OAN) has called on President Bola Tinubu to sustain a merit-based approach to appointing Nigerians to strategic public offices, noting that recent diplomatic successes at the United Nations demonstrate the value of competence-driven leadership.

The diaspora organisation appealed while commending the President for appointing Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Jimoh Ibrahim, a move it said has significantly enhanced Nigeria’s diplomatic standing within just 60 days of his assumption of office.

In a statement signed by its President, Ms Tomi Aregbesola, after a courtesy visit by the organisation’s leadership to Ambassador Ibrahim at the Nigeria House in New York, OAN said Nigeria’s growing influence at the UN underscores the importance of placing qualified professionals in key national assignments.

According to Aregbesola, the visit provided an opportunity to assess the ambassador’s performance and review Nigeria’s expanding diplomatic footprint at the global body.

She described Ibrahim’s leadership as strategic, proactive and results-oriented, noting that Nigeria has recorded several notable achievements since he assumed office.

Among the milestones, she cited Nigeria’s election as Chairman of the UN General Assembly Fifth Committee, the Assembly’s budgetary and administrative committee, as a major diplomatic breakthrough.

She also highlighted the election of Prof. Olufemi Elias to the United Nations International Law Commission (ILC), describing it as further evidence of international confidence in Nigerian expertise.

Aregbesola further pointed to Nigeria’s successful election to the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) for the 2027–2030 term through Dr Esther Eghobamien-Mshelia, as well as the appointment of Ms Ahunna Eziakonwa as the UN Secretary-General’s Special Adviser on Africa.

“Within barely two months, Nigeria has secured major electoral victories, strategic appointments and one of the most influential leadership positions in the United Nations General Assembly,” she said.

“These achievements have significantly elevated Nigeria’s voice, visibility and credibility within the multilateral system.”

While applauding President Tinubu for appointing Ambassador Ibrahim, Aregbesola urged the President to extend the same merit-driven approach to other strategic institutions.

“Nigeria is blessed with exceptional professionals whose competence can transform critical institutions if allowed to serve,” she said.

She specifically called for the appointment of accomplished Nigerians to agencies with strategic international responsibilities, including the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM).

“The success already recorded at the United Nations demonstrates that when competent, visionary and globally respected Nigerians are entrusted with national assignments, the country wins,” she added.

According to her, such appointments would strengthen collaboration between the Federal Government and Nigerians abroad while advancing national development.

Aregbesola also commended Ambassador Ibrahim for pledging support to OAN’s programmes, including the annual Nigerian Independence Day Parade scheduled for October in New York.

She quoted the ambassador as describing the organisation’s service to Nigerians abroad as selfless and deserving of encouragement.

“It is increasingly rare to find people who devote their time and resources to serving their community without expecting personal gain,” Ibrahim said.

The envoy reaffirmed his commitment to supporting initiatives that promote Nigeria’s image and foster unity among Nigerians in the diaspora.

The OAN delegation was led by the Consul-General of Nigeria in New York, Ambassador Abubakar Jidda, whom the organisation also praised for strengthening engagement between Nigeria’s diplomatic missions and the Nigerian community in the United States.

The organisation reaffirmed its commitment to partnering with the Federal Government to deepen diaspora engagement and promote a positive image of Nigeria on the global stage.