By Myke Uzendu, Abuja
As the country prepares for the 2027 general elections, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, has cautioned foreign diplomatic missions in Nigeria against making unguarded comments, disparaging remarks or unsolicited lectures on democracy in Nigeria.
The minister gave the warning on Thursday during her first formal engagement with members of the Diplomatic Corps since her appointment, held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Abuja.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu, who described Nigeria as Africa’s largest democracy, said developments in the country carried regional and international implications, stressing the need for foreign missions to respect Nigeria’s sovereignty and established diplomatic channels.
She said diplomatic missions should be guided by the importance of maintaining mutually respectful relations with the Nigerian government as the country approaches another general election.
“As the 2027 general elections draw near, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs would request that missions remain guided. Recognising 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 said.
She, however, assured the diplomatic community that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remained committed to democratic governance and the conduct of 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 minister called for closer cooperation between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and foreign missions, emphasising dialogue, mutual respect and adherence to established diplomatic procedures in addressing issues.
“I want us to speak frankly, to engage constructively, and to resolve issues through dialogue, established diplomatic channels, and mutual respect,” she said.
She also urged diplomatic missions to route official communications and requests intended for the Presidency, ministries, departments and agencies through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
According to her, the ministry’s role was to facilitate diplomatic engagement with the Nigerian government rather than obstruct it.
“Let me emphasise 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 further announced that the ministry would pay renewed attention to inactive Joint Commissions and Bi-National Commissions as part of efforts to strengthen bilateral cooperation.
She said the mechanisms would be used to promote cooperation in areas including trade, investment, security, education, technology, health and agriculture.
The minister maintained that the effectiveness of Nigeria’s diplomatic relationships should ultimately be measured by tangible benefits delivered to citizens rather than the number of meetings held or communiqués issued.
“The true measure of our relationships will not be the number of meetings we hold, neither will it be the number of communiqués we issue. It will be the progress we achieve for our peoples, the investments we facilitate, the opportunities we create, the challenges we resolve, and the friendships we strengthen,” she stated.
She said Nigeria’s foreign policy under the Tinubu administration was anchored on the four Ds — Demography, Development, Democracy and Diaspora.
According to her, the policy seeks to place Nigerians at the centre of the country’s international engagements while sustaining Nigeria’s commitment to Africa and constructive relations with the international community.
The minister also reiterated Nigeria’s pursuit of strategic autonomy in its international relations, stressing that the policy should not be interpreted as isolationism.
“Strategic autonomy does not mean isolation; it means preserving Nigeria’s sovereign right to determine the relationships and positions that best serve our people,”she said.
