-
The Federal Government has warned foreign diplomatic missions against unguarded comments, disparaging remarks and unsolicited lectures on democracy as Nigeria prepares for the 2027 general elections.
-
Foreign Affairs Minister Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu said Nigeria’s status as Africa’s largest democracy did not give foreign missions the latitude to interfere in or publicly disparage the country’s democratic processes.
-
The minister assured the Diplomatic Corps that President Bola Tinubu’s administration was committed to conducting peaceful, free, fair and credible elections, while urging diplomats to respect Nigeria’s sovereignty.
-
Odumegwu-Ojukwu also demanded greater adherence to diplomatic channels and outlined the government’s Four-D foreign policy agenda, with emphasis on demography, development, democracy and the diaspora.
September 17, (THEWILL) – The Federal Government has drawn a line against what it described as unguarded comments, disparaging remarks and unsolicited lectures on democracy by foreign diplomatic missions as Nigeria moves towards the 2027 general elections.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, issued the warning on Thursday in Abuja during her first formal engagement with members of the Diplomatic Corps since her appointment.
The minister, while acknowledging the regional and international significance of developments in Nigeria, said foreign missions must conduct their activities with due regard for the country’s sovereignty, democratic institutions and established diplomatic procedures.
“As the 2027 general elections draw near, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs would request that missions remain guided. Recognising the fact that Nigeria is the largest democracy in Africa, and that developments in Nigeria have regional and international complications and implications, we would not look kindly upon unguarded comments, disparaging remarks, or unsolicited lectures on democracy”, she said.
The warning comes as political activities ahead of the 2027 elections intensify, with political parties and prospective candidates positioning themselves for the presidential, governorship and legislative contests.
Against this backdrop, the Federal Government said Nigeria would remain open to engagement with the international community but insisted that such engagement must be conducted within the framework of sovereign equality and mutual respect.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu assured the diplomatic community that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remained committed to democratic governance and a credible electoral process.
“The Government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is committed to democracy and to delivering an election that will be peaceful, free, fair, and credible in all ramifications”, she stated.
The minister also warned diplomatic missions against bypassing the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in their official communications with the Nigerian Government. She urged foreign missions to route requests and official correspondence intended for the Presidency, ministries, departments and agencies through the ministry.
According to her, the arrangement was intended to ensure proper coordination, consistency and effective follow-up, rather than create unnecessary bureaucratic obstacles.
“Let me emphasise that the Ministry is not an obstacle between you and the Nigerian Government; we are your bridge to the Nigerian Government”, she said.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu called for frank and constructive engagement between the ministry and foreign missions, urging diplomats to resolve issues through dialogue and established diplomatic channels.
“I want us to speak frankly, to engage constructively, and to resolve issues through dialogue, established diplomatic channels, and mutual respect”, she said.
READ ALSO:
FG Targets Tangible Gains From Foreign Relations
The minister said the Federal Government would also revive inactive Joint Commissions and Bi-National Commissions with other countries as part of efforts to extract greater economic and developmental benefits from Nigeria’s foreign relations.
She said the platforms would be used to deepen cooperation in trade, investment, security, education, technology, health and agriculture.
According to her, the effectiveness of Nigeria’s diplomatic relationships should be determined by the benefits they deliver to citizens rather than the number of meetings held or communiqués issued.
“The true measure of our relationships will not be the number of meetings we hold, neither will it be the number of communiqués we issue. It will be the progress we achieve for our peoples, the investments we facilitate, the opportunities we create, the challenges we resolve, and the friendships we strengthen”, she said.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu said Nigeria’s foreign policy under the Tinubu administration remained anchored on the Four Ds — Demography, Development, Democracy and Diaspora.
She explained that the policy was designed to place Nigerians at the centre of the country’s international engagements while sustaining Nigeria’s commitment to Africa and constructive relations with the wider international community.
She further described Nigeria’s strategic autonomy as a policy of preserving the country’s sovereign right to determine its international relationships in accordance with its national interest.
“Strategic autonomy does not mean isolation; it means preserving Nigeria’s sovereign right to determine the relationships and positions that best serve our people,” she said.
The minister also raised concerns over prolonged visa processing periods for Nigerians travelling to other countries.
While acknowledging that countries had sovereign rights to determine their visa policies, she urged foreign missions to review their processes to reduce delays affecting legitimate travellers.
“While we fully respect the sovereign right of every country to determine its visa policy, excessively long waiting periods can create considerable difficulties for legitimate travellers, students, businesspersons, and families”, she noted.
She called for greater efficiency in diplomatic correspondence, document authentication, legalisation and visa applications.
FG Assures Diplomats Of Protection
On security, the minister assured members of the Diplomatic Corps that the safety and welfare of foreign diplomats, their families and diplomatic premises remained a priority of the Nigerian Government.
She said Nigeria remained conscious of its obligations under the Vienna Conventions, including the protection of diplomatic and consular personnel, their families, premises and property.
“Whenever you have security concerns or other issues affecting your stay in Nigeria, please bring them promptly to our attention. The Ministry will engage the appropriate government and security agencies to ensure that legitimate concerns are addressed,” she said.
She urged diplomats to experience Nigeria beyond official engagements, highlighting the country’s cultural diversity and potential for tourism, investment and other forms of international cooperation.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu also reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to dialogue, multilateralism and the peaceful resolution of disputes through its participation in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), African Union (AU), United Nations (UN), Commonwealth and other international institutions.
She said Nigeria would continue to advocate a stronger African voice in global decision-making while pursuing partnerships that would advance trade, investment, peace and security, education, healthcare and technological innovation.
“At a time of increasing geopolitical complexity, conflicts, terrorism, climate change, cyber insecurity, irregular migration, and economic uncertainty remind us that in these times, no country can confront today’s challenges alone”, she stated.
The minister said Nigeria remained open to trade, investment, tourism, technology, knowledge and meaningful partnerships, stressing that such engagements must be founded on “reciprocity, sovereign equality, and mutual respect.”
She added that the country would continue working with diplomatic missions to strengthen bilateral and multilateral cooperation while ensuring that Nigeria’s national interests remained central to its international engagements.
Felix Ifijeh is a journalist with years of professional reporting experience. Known for his keen news sense, compelling storytelling and commitment to accurate, impactful reporting, he has built a reputation for turning leads into clear, engaging, and well-structured reports that resonate with readers. His work reflects deep newsroom experience and a commitment to accurate, impactful journalism.
