The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, has warned foreign diplomatic missions against making unguarded comments, disparaging remarks, or unsolicited lectures on democracy as Nigeria prepares for the 2027 general elections.
The minister 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.
She said, “As the 2027 general elections draw near, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs would request that missions remain guided. Recognizing 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.”
The minister assured the diplomatic community that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was committed to democratic governance and delivering a 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.
The briefing marked Odumegwu-Ojukwu’s first formal engagement with the Diplomatic Corps since her appointment as Minister of Foreign Affairs.
She called for closer cooperation between the ministry and foreign missions, emphasising the importance of 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 route official communications and requests intended for the Presidency, ministries, departments, agencies and other government institutions through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
She explained that the ministry’s role was to facilitate, rather than obstruct, diplomatic engagement with the Nigerian 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 pay renewed attention to inactive Joint Commissions and Bi-National Commissions to strengthen bilateral cooperation in trade, investment, security, education, technology, health, and agriculture.
She said diplomatic relations should be assessed by the tangible benefits they delivered to citizens rather than by the number of meetings held or communiqués issued.
