Experts in international relations and diplomacy have lamented that nearly two years after President Bola Tinubu recalled ambassadors and high commissioners as substantive heads of Nigeria’s foreign missions, new ones are yet to be appointed.
President Bola Tinubu had on September 2, 2023 through a statement issued by the office of the minister of foreign affairs, Amb. Yusuf Tuggar, recalled all the then serving ambassadors, which included 42 career and 41 non-career ambassadors.
Despite the huge outcry about the implications of such delay, perhaps, the longest in Nigeria’s history on the image of the country and its business interest and diplomatic clout, the Presidency appears unmoved by the strident calls for new substantive envoys.
Speaking to LEADERSHIP Sunday, former Nigerian High Commissioner to Singapore, Ambassador Ogbole Ode, attributed the delay to paucity of funds as claimed by Foreign Minister in a recent statement.
Although the former envoy admitted the urgent need to appoint substantive envoys, he noted that “Nigeria’s representation at the foreign missions may not necessarily be hampered because there are other officers who can still make Nigeria’s diplomatic machinery work such as Charge D’ Affaires.”
He said in terms of hierarchy there were certain functions that are exclusive preserve of ambassadors and high commissioners because of their rank.
Ambassador Ode also frowned at the recurring issue of incurred debts by the foreign missions and staffers, which he blamed on dwindling fortunes of the nation’s economy and mismanagement, adding that it is becoming increasingly embarrassing and a dent on the nation’s image.
Also speaking to LEADERSHIP Sunday, a professor of International Relations and Diplomacy National Institute For Security Studies Mukhtar Imam, expressed some discomfort at the delay by President Tinubu to appoint the envoys.
He said, “I really have not the slightest idea why the president has not nominated and assigned ambassadors. I have heard the Minister of Foreign Affairs on various forums say the same thing. On one of such occasions he said “that’s above my pay grade”. If this is above the honorable minister’s pay grade, imagine where this leaves me!
“It certainly is hurting the country’s image, reputation and relations with other countries. It is not appropriate and needs to be addressed to forestall further damage.”
On the vexed issue of debts the university don said “I really have no idea as to the magnitude of debt or even whether there is debt at all. However, I understand that a Chargè does not have the right to approve more than a thousand dollars without first writing to the MFA for approval.
“Therefore naturally the system will be hurt and will face challenges with its operations. I hope the administration has a rethink on the issue.”
Contributing to the discourse, public intellectual, Dr. Katch Ononuju, told our correspondent that ambassadorial positions under former President Muhammadu Buhari were mismanaged and this might be the reason President Tinubu is trying to revamp the sector before new ambassadors can be appointed.
International Constitutional Law expert, Livingstone Wechie said the failure or refusal by the President and Commander in chief Bola Tinubu to appoint Ambassadors and heads of foreign missions is fast plunging Nigeria into the arena of diplomatic blackout.
He noted that this makes the country look unserious and unreliable in many ways within the international circles adding that negligence by the President has continually undermined Nigeria’s foreign policy drives.
He said “this lack of diplomatic representation signals a disengagement from the international community, potentially leading to isolation and strained relationships with other nations. On record, President Tinubu had recalled all 82 envoys appointed by former President Muhammadu Buhari in 2023.
“For instance this is the longest time in over two decades that Nigeria’s ambassadorial post in Washington is vacant with no substantive envoy. The Importance of diplomatic representation from state to state cannot be overemphasised.”
He pointed out that the recent Visa restriction by President Donald Trump is an effect of this vacancy which has made Nigeria extremely vulnerable to diplomatic invasions and encroachment. This is one of the red flags of this unwarranted and reverse diplomatic voyage.
“The sustained neglect by the Nigerian government to appoint Ambassadors and Consulates has broken the country’s hedge in international space. Currently there are too many partnerships both multilateral and bilateral opportunities that Nigeria cannot explore because of its long and inexcusable absence through her dispatch of authorised agents in the realms of international relations and politics.
“Much as it is within the discretionary powers of the President to appoint and dispatch diplomats, that discretion must be exercised with a sense of patriotism and urgency,” he said.
