The Federal Government has warned foreign diplomatic missions in Nigeria against making unguarded comments, disparaging remarks or unsolicited lectures on democracy as the country prepares for the 2027 general elections.
Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Minister of Foreign Affairs, issued the warning on Thursday at a diplomatic briefing with members of the Diplomatic Corps at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Abuja.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu, who described Nigeria as Africa’s largest democracy, said developments in the country had regional and international implications, urging diplomatic missions to respect Nigeria’s sovereignty and established diplomatic channels.
“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 minister, however, assured the diplomatic community that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remained committed to democratic governance and delivering a peaceful, free, fair and credible election.
“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.
Read also: US visa issuance to Nigerians sinks to 4-yr low
The briefing marked Odumegwu-Ojukwu’s first formal engagement with members of the Diplomatic Corps since her appointment as Minister of Foreign Affairs.
She called for closer cooperation between the ministry and foreign missions, stressing the need for dialogue, mutual respect and adherence to established diplomatic procedures.
“I want us to speak frankly, to engage constructively, and to resolve issues through dialogue, established diplomatic channels, and mutual respect,” she said.
The minister also urged diplomatic missions to channel official communications and requests intended for the Presidency, ministries, departments, agencies and other government institutions through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
She said the ministry was not an impediment to diplomatic engagement with the Nigerian Government but served as a bridge between foreign missions and the government.
“Let me emphasize 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 said the ministry would also pay renewed attention to inactive Joint Commissions and Bi-National Commissions as part of efforts to strengthen bilateral cooperation in trade, investment, security, education, technology, health and agriculture.
She said the effectiveness of Nigeria’s diplomatic relationships should be measured by the tangible benefits they delivered 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 stated.
The minister reiterated that Nigeria’s foreign policy under the Tinubu administration was anchored on the four Ds, Demography, Development, Democracy and Diaspora.
According to her, the framework seeks to place Nigerians at the centre of the country’s international engagements while maintaining Nigeria’s commitment to Africa and constructive relations with the wider international community.
She also reaffirmed Nigeria’s pursuit of strategic autonomy in its international relations, clarifying that the policy should not be interpreted as isolation.
“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.
On consular matters, the minister called for greater efficiency in the handling of diplomatic correspondence, document authentication, legalisation and visa applications.
She particularly appealed to foreign missions to review their visa processes for Nigerian applicants, saying prolonged waiting periods could create difficulties for legitimate travellers, students, businesspersons and families.
Read also: FG launches industrial power drive with 50mw Abuja project
“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 said.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu also assured members of the Diplomatic Corps that the safety and welfare of diplomatic personnel, their families and their 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.
The minister encouraged diplomats to experience Nigeria beyond official engagements, highlighting the country’s cultural diversity and richness.
She said the Federal Government remained open to partnerships with foreign missions in trade, investment, tourism, technology and knowledge, while stressing the principles of reciprocity, sovereign equality and mutual respect.
“Nigeria is open to trade, investment, tourism, technology, knowledge, and meaningful partnerships. At the heart of these engagements must be reciprocity, sovereign equality, and mutual respect,” she said.
She noted that growing geopolitical complexity, conflicts, terrorism, climate change, cyber insecurity, irregular migration and economic uncertainty had made international cooperation increasingly important.
“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 said.
The minister reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to dialogue, multilateralism and the peaceful resolution of disputes through its engagements with regional and international institutions, including ECOWAS, the African Union, the United Nations and the Commonwealth.
“Nigeria will, therefore, continue to champion dialogue, multilateralism, and peaceful resolution of disputes while remaining active within ECOWAS, the African Union, the United Nations, the Commonwealth, and other international institutions,” she said.
She added that Nigeria would continue to advocate an international system in which Africa’s voice was heard and the continent participated meaningfully in shaping global decisions.
“We are ready to work with each of you to deepen trade and investment, strengthen cooperation on peace and security, advance education, health, and technological innovation, and create greater opportunities for our peoples,” Odumegwu-Ojukwu stressed.
