Foreign Minister Tells Diplomats: Stop Bypassing Ministry
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, has directed foreign missions in Nigeria to channel all official engagements with the Federal Government through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The minister gave the directive during her first formal interaction with members of the Diplomatic Corps since becoming substantive Foreign Minister, stressing that the ministry remains the official diplomatic gateway to the Nigerian government.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu urged ambassadors, high commissioners and representatives of international organisations to regard the ministry as their diplomatic home, assuring them that her office would remain accessible.
She, however, cautioned against dealing directly with the Presidency or other government institutions on official matters without involving the Foreign Affairs Ministry.
According to her, bypassing established diplomatic procedures could result in conflicting information, duplication of efforts and unnecessary misunderstandings.
“We are not an obstacle. We are your bridge to the Nigerian Government,” the minister said, emphasising the need for stronger institutional coordination and continuity in Nigeria’s external relations.
She also outlined Nigeria’s commitment to a policy of strategic autonomy under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, saying the country would determine its international partnerships based on national interest, mutual respect and reciprocity.
The minister clarified that strategic autonomy should not be interpreted as isolation, but as Nigeria’s right to independently determine the relationships that best serve its citizens.
She said the administration’s foreign policy remains anchored on the Four Ds — Demography, Development, Democracy and Diaspora — with Nigeria positioned as Nigeria-centred, Africa-conscious and globally engaged.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu further announced plans to revive dormant Joint Commissions and Bi-National Commissions with other countries, saying diplomatic relations should translate into measurable gains in trade, investment, security, education and technology.
She expressed appreciation to foreign governments for their prompt processing of Agrément for Nigeria’s ambassadorial nominees and promised to facilitate faster presentation of Letters of Credence by foreign envoys posted to Nigeria.
On consular matters, the minister raised concerns over lengthy visa processing periods experienced by Nigerians travelling abroad.
While acknowledging the sovereign right of countries to determine their visa policies, she called for greater efficiency and transparency, particularly in handling applications from legitimate travellers, students, businesspeople and families.
The minister also reaffirmed Nigeria’s obligations under the Vienna Conventions to protect diplomatic personnel and missions, urging foreign missions to promptly communicate security concerns to the appropriate Nigerian authorities.
She said Nigeria would remain open to trade, investment and technology partnerships with countries around the world, but stressed that such relationships must be based on sovereign equality and reciprocity.
According to her, global challenges including terrorism, climate change, cyber insecurity and irregular migration require international cooperation because no country can effectively tackle them alone.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu also reaffirmed Nigeria’s active participation in ECOWAS, the African Union, the United Nations and the Commonwealth, while calling for greater African representation and influence in global decision-making.
