The Federal Government has firmly rejected recent criticisms leveled by the African Democratic Congress (ADC) concerning the pace of ambassadorial appointments and Nigeria’s diplomatic presence abroad.
Describing the remarks as alarmist, politically charged, and factually incorrect, the government stressed that such commentary reflects a superficial grasp of the intricacies of foreign policy management.
This position was articulated in a statement issued on Tuesday by Alkasim Abdulkadir, the Special Assistant on Media and Communications Strategy to the Minister of Foreign Affairs.
The statement emphasized that, contrary to the ADC’s assertions, Nigeria continues to maintain effective diplomatic representation worldwide. Experienced career diplomats and seasoned chargés d’affaires are currently manning Nigerian missions across the globe, diligently safeguarding and advancing the nation’s interests.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also reaffirmed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remains steadfast in his commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s foreign service. In line with his Renewed Hope Agenda, the President aims to reform and professionalize the diplomatic corps to better reflect Nigeria’s national priorities and align with evolving global dynamics.
The government clarified that ambassadorial appointments are a sovereign prerogative, not an exercise to be hurried or politicized to serve partisan agendas.
According to the Ministry, “The appointment of ambassadors is a critical state function that requires careful consideration and must not be reduced to a tool for political gratification or immediate appeasement. President Tinubu is dedicated to ensuring that all future diplomatic postings are anchored in merit, competence, national interest, and strategic relevance—not political patronage or expedient decisions.”
To support this assertion, the Ministry cited recent diplomatic activities led by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar.
The Minister has engaged in high-profile meetings with foreign counterparts from major global powers including the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, China, Japan, and Egypt.
Additionally, Nigeria has been actively participating in important multilateral platforms such as the BRICS bloc, the African Union, and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), reinforcing its position on the global stage.
In response to the ADC’s characterization of Nigerian missions as “sorry symbols,” the Ministry firmly rejected such claims, labeling them as baseless and deeply disrespectful to the men and women serving in Nigeria’s foreign service.
“While we acknowledge that structural and funding challenges have long plagued the foreign service—issues that predate the current administration—it is a gross misrepresentation to claim that morale is at its lowest. Our diplomats continue to serve with distinction, often under trying and resource-constrained conditions,” the statement read.
Furthermore, the Ministry criticized the ADC for what it described as political opportunism and a glaring lack of understanding of the nuanced and often complex processes that underpin foreign policy. It warned against the misuse of diplomacy as a platform for partisan attacks and underscored that Nigeria’s international reputation must not be compromised by sensationalist rhetoric or domestic political maneuvering.
Addressing allegations that the Foreign Minister’s public articulation of Nigeria’s foreign policy stance was diplomatically inappropriate, the Ministry argued that such views ignore contemporary diplomatic practices. In today’s world, transparency, responsible communication, and public engagement are essential components of effective diplomacy.
“The Ministry remains resolutely focused on pursuing constructive diplomacy, safeguarding Nigeria’s global interests, and restoring credibility to the country’s foreign service through thoughtful reforms and principled engagements,” the statement concluded. It further emphasized that diplomacy thrives on consistency, strategic discretion, and clarity of purpose—not on populist narratives or political posturing.
In essence, the Federal Government maintained that it is on course to build a robust and credible diplomatic framework, and that ambassadorial appointments will be made in due time, ensuring that they align with the country’s long-term strategic goals.