The Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs has dismissed recent criticisms from the African Democratic Congress (ADC) over delays in ambassadorial appointments, calling the party’s statements “alarmist,” “politically motivated,” and “misinformed.”
In a statement issued by Alkasim Abdulkadir, Special Assistant on Media and Communications Strategy to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry emphasized that Nigeria’s diplomatic missions remain fully operational and are currently managed by experienced foreign service professionals, including chargés d’affaires.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs strongly refutes the recent statement by the ADC regarding Nigeria’s foreign representation and the pace of ambassadorial appointments under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The Ministry considers the ADC’s remarks to be alarmist, politically motivated, and fundamentally misinformed about the operational realities of international diplomacy,” the statement read.
On the matter of ambassadorial appointments, the Ministry maintained that such decisions fall strictly within the scope of national sovereignty and should not be influenced by political pressure.
“The appointment of ambassadors is a sovereign function—not a matter to be rushed for political convenience or partisan appeasement. President Tinubu, in line with his Renewed Hope Agenda, is committed to reforming the foreign service architecture to ensure that future postings are driven by merit, competence, national interest, and strategic alignment—not patronage or expediency,” it stated.
The Ministry reiterated that Nigeria continues to engage actively on the international stage and urged political actors to handle matters relating to foreign policy with responsibility.
It pointed to recent high-level meetings held by Foreign Affairs Minister Yusuf Maitama Tuggar with officials from key global players including the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, China, Japan, Egypt, and engagements at forums like BRICS, the African Union, and ECOWAS as proof of Nigeria’s strong diplomatic presence.
Responding to the ADC’s characterization of Nigerian foreign missions as “sorry symbols,” the Ministry described the claim as not only “false” but also “insulting” to the dedication and efforts of Nigerian diplomats. While acknowledging the existence of long-standing challenges, including funding and infrastructure constraints, it praised diplomats who continue to represent the country admirably in difficult environments.
The Ministry also rejected criticisms over Nigeria’s handling of the reported U.S. proposal to deport Venezuelan prisoners to African countries. Reacting to ADC’s claim that Minister Tuggar’s public statement on the matter was diplomatically irresponsible, the Ministry stated:
“Nigeria’s response was clear, principled, and consistent with its sovereign rights. The notion that the Foreign Minister’s public articulation of Nigeria’s position was a diplomatic faux pas ignores the realities of modern diplomacy, where transparency and responsible communication are increasingly vital.”
It concluded that the ADC’s comments were driven by “political opportunism” and a lack of understanding of the complexity of foreign policy processes, warning that the country’s international reputation should not be sacrificed for domestic political gains.
Earlier on Sunday, the ADC had criticized the Tinubu administration for failing to appoint new ambassadors nearly two years after all Nigerian envoys were recalled in September 2023. Bolaji Abdullahi, the party’s interim national publicity secretary, said the delay had created a diplomatic vacuum and weakened Nigeria’s influence abroad. The party also condemned recent political appointments, accusing the administration of distributing “consolation prizes” rather than ensuring true national inclusion and equity.