MFA Warns Foreign Missions Against Bypassing Diplomatic Channels, Misuse of Diplomatic Plates

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has warned diplomatic missions in Nigeria against bypassing established diplomatic channels to directly approach the Presidency, ministers and heads of government agencies on official matters.

The warning was contained in a statement by Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, who stressed that while Nigeria remains open and hospitable to foreign missions, respect for diplomatic procedures and established channels must be maintained.

Enikanolaiye said it had become increasingly common for some embassy officials to make direct telephone calls to the State House, ministers and heads of agencies instead of transmitting official communications through a Note Verbale to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

He said the practice undermined established diplomatic procedures and could create confusion, duplication and misunderstandings in the conduct of Nigeria’s international relations.

The ambassador made the remarks shortly before an interactive session between the diplomatic community and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, on Thursday, September 17, 2026.

According to him, Odumegwu-Ojukwu used the engagement to reaffirm the Ministry’s role as the official channel between diplomatic missions and the Nigerian Government.

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is your diplomatic home. Our doors and appropriate channels remain open, but established diplomatic channels must be respected,” the minister was quoted as saying.

Enikanolaiye noted that the Federal Government had already taken steps to simplify diplomatic operations for foreign missions, including allowing newly appointed ambassadors and high commissioners to commence official functions after submitting copies of their Letters of Credence to the Ministry.

He explained that envoys could engage ministries, departments and agencies and conduct bilateral affairs without waiting for the formal presentation of their Letters of Credence to the President, except for matters requiring their participation in presidential ceremonies.

He said the arrangement was introduced in good faith and should be reciprocated through strict adherence to diplomatic protocol.

Vienna Convention Requires Proper Channels

Enikanolaiye cited Article 41 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, 1961, which requires persons enjoying diplomatic privileges and immunities to respect the laws and regulations of the receiving state.

He also cited Article 41(2), which provides that official business entrusted to a diplomatic mission by its sending state shall be conducted with or through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the receiving state, unless otherwise agreed.

The ambassador said compliance with the provision was not intended to create unnecessary bureaucracy but to ensure coordination, consistency and effective follow-up on official engagements.

“The Ministry is not an obstacle between you and the Nigerian Government; we are your bridge to the Nigerian Government,” he quoted Odumegwu-Ojukwu as saying.

Enikanolaiye said bypassing the Ministry could result in conflicting positions between government institutions and weaken the quality of foreign policy coordination.

He also stressed the principle of reciprocity, noting that Nigerian diplomatic missions are expected to respect established channels in their host countries and should receive the same consideration from foreign missions operating in Nigeria.

Warning Over Diplomatic Plates

The ambassador also raised concern over what he described as the increasing use of diplomatic number plates by individuals who are not entitled to them under the applicable diplomatic rules.

He said diplomatic plates were provided to facilitate legitimate diplomatic functions and should not be used to evade traffic regulations or law enforcement.

According to him, misuse of diplomatic plates could create security concerns and damage the reputation of the diplomatic corps.

He urged missions to ensure that the privileges attached to diplomatic status were exercised responsibly and in accordance with Nigerian law and international obligations.

Nigeria Reaffirms Strategic Foreign Policy

Enikanolaiye also highlighted the foreign policy priorities outlined by Odumegwu-Ojukwu, saying the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had identified four key pillars: Demography, Development, Democracy and Diaspora.

He said the Demography pillar focuses on harnessing Nigeria’s youthful population through education, technology, innovation, entrepreneurship and skills development.

Development, he said, places economic diplomacy at the centre of Nigeria’s international engagement, with emphasis on trade, investment, infrastructure, agriculture, energy and technology.

He added that Democracy reflects Nigeria’s commitment to constitutional governance, strong institutions and peaceful resolution of political differences, while Diaspora recognises Nigerians abroad as important partners in investment, knowledge transfer and national development.

Enikanolaiye said the policy direction places Nigeria and Nigerians at the centre of the country’s external relations while maintaining an Africa-conscious and globally engaged outlook.

He added that Nigeria would continue to pursue strategic autonomy in international relations, maintaining partnerships based on national interest, mutual respect, reciprocity and international obligations.

“Strategic autonomy does not mean isolation; it means preserving Nigeria’s sovereign right to determine the relationships and positions that best serve our people,” he quoted the minister as saying.

The Ministry, he said, was also working to revive outstanding Joint Commissions and Bi-national Commissions that had remained inactive because of administrative and logistical challenges.

He said the mechanisms would be used to strengthen cooperation with partner countries in areas including trade, investment, security, education, technology, health and agriculture.

Enikanolaiye said the effectiveness of Nigeria’s diplomatic relationships should ultimately be measured by the tangible benefits they deliver to Nigerians, rather than only by high-level visits and diplomatic engagements.

He therefore urged foreign missions to use established channels when seeking engagement with Nigerian institutions.

“Nigeria is warm, generous, and open for partnership. But our hospitality must not be mistaken for weakness,” he said.

He summarised the proper diplomatic procedure as: Embassy Note Verbale  Ministry of Foreign Affairs  relevant MDA or Presidency Ministry of Foreign Affairs Embassy.

“Do not bypass the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to lobby the Villa. My Ministry’s job is to make your work easy. Use us,” Enikanolaiye said.