The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has called on President Bola Tinubu to urgently appoint substantive ambassadors to represent Nigeria across its foreign missions.
In a statement issued on Sunday in Abuja, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, emphasized that the prolonged delay in naming new ambassadors could further strain Nigeria’s diplomatic relations and hurt citizens living abroad.
Abdullahi noted that since the federal government recalled Nigeria’s 109 ambassadors in 2023, the positions have remained vacant, leaving the country with limited or no representation in critical international engagements.
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“The absence of appointed ambassadors has weakened Nigeria’s voice and presence on the global stage,” Abdullahi stated. “We are already witnessing serious consequences, such as the rise in visa-related and consular issues involving countries like the United States and the United Arab Emirates.”
He stressed that junior diplomats or charge d’affaires cannot effectively perform the roles of ambassadors due to their limited access and recognition in diplomatic circles.
According to the ADC, this leadership vacuum is already taking a toll on the welfare of Nigerian students, workers, and professionals residing abroad. The party also warned that the situation could prompt other nations to reciprocate by downgrading their diplomatic missions in Nigeria.
Abdullahi concluded by urging President Tinubu to act swiftly, warning that the delay undermines Nigeria’s global image at a time when the country should be aggressively pursuing economic diplomacy and international cooperation.
