The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has warned that the Federal Government’s recent announcement of ambassadorial postings could expose Nigeria to diplomatic embarrassment and weaken the country’s standing in international relations.
In a statement issued on Friday, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, criticised the approach adopted by the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, describing it as a violation of established diplomatic procedures.
The statement followed the announcement by the Presidency of postings for 65 ambassadors-designate to various countries and international organisations.
According to the ADC, publicly announcing the appointments before obtaining the consent of the host countries contradicts standard diplomatic practice and raises concerns about the government’s handling of Nigeria’s foreign relations.
“After nearly three years in office, and three months after the Senate confirmed the ambassadors, today’s announcement by the State House puts the cart before the horse and demonstrates the Tinubu administration’s inability to grasp the basic protocol of diplomatic relations,” Abdullahi said.
He explained that under Article 4 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, a country intending to send an ambassador must first obtain the consent—known as *agrément*—of the receiving state before making an official announcement or appointment.
According to him, such requests are typically handled discreetly through diplomatic channels to prevent embarrassment if a nominee is rejected by the host country.
“By announcing appointments and then requesting consent, it indicates that the government does not know what it is doing,” Abdullahi added, noting that the receiving country retains the right to accept or reject a nomination after conducting its due diligence.
Beyond the procedural concerns, the ADC also questioned the limited number of ambassadorial postings announced by the government.
The party noted that Nigeria operates about 109 diplomatic missions worldwide but has so far announced only 65 ambassadors, leaving 44 missions without designated envoys.
“Equally troubling is the incomplete nature of the announcement itself,” the party said.
“Nigeria maintains 109 diplomatic missions worldwide, yet the government has announced only 65 ambassadors. What happens to the remaining 44 missions? Are those posts to remain vacant indefinitely while Nigeria’s diplomatic presence continues to shrink at a time of rising global uncertainty?”
The opposition party also criticised what it described as delays in securing host country consent, pointing out that more than three months had passed since the Nigerian Senate confirmed the ambassadors.
It further referenced earlier diplomatic controversies, including announcements relating to postings to the United Kingdom, the United States and France, as well as the nomination of an envoy to Turkey who was allegedly not properly screened.
According to the ADC, the Tinubu administration appears more focused on responding to political pressure than adhering to established diplomatic procedures.
The party also questioned the government’s silence regarding Nigeria’s mission to the United States and warned that leaving key diplomatic positions vacant could weaken Nigeria’s influence in global affairs.
“The Tinubu government has 449 days left,” the statement added. “This may be the first administration in Nigeria so incompetent that it cannot even appoint ambassadors at a time when Nigeria needs to sit at the table at the highest levels of global governance. The damage that would do to the country is indeed hard to contemplate.”
