Two former Nigerian diplomats, Usman Sarki and Fred Eno, have criticized President Bola Tinubu for failing to appoint ambassadors 10 months after recalling all career and political ambassadors representing Nigeria abroad.
Sarki and Eno made the comment while speaking on Channels Television’s “Inside Sources” program.
The former envoys described the delay as “unacceptable” and a “serious disconnection” in Nigeria’s relationships with other countries.
Sarki, former Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations, noted that the absence of Nigerian ambassadors in foreign countries for an extended period is a “negative vote of confidence” and shows a lack of respect for the host nations.
Eno, ex-senior Advisor to the United Nations (Nigeria Office), said Nigeria’s diplomatic missions need professional and career diplomats to promote the country’s foreign policy objectives.
The duo urged the President and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to resolve the issues delaying the deployment of ambassadors and address funding challenges facing Nigerian embassies and high commissions worldwide.
Their comments come after President Tinubu recalled all Nigerian ambassadors in September 2023, with no replacements sent to the Senate for approval and deployment to missions abroad.
This has left Nigeria without representation in over 100 embassies and high commissions, despite hosting ambassadors from other countries in Abuja.
