Don Warns of Diplomatic Isolation as Nigeria Lacks Ambassadors

A leading expert in international relations has raised a serious alarm about Nigeria’s diplomatic standing, stating that the country cannot be a major player on the global stage without having ambassadors in place. Professor Chris Kwaja of Modibbo Adama University, Yola, emphasized that the absence of these key representatives has effectively shut Nigeria out of crucial international discussions.

During a recent interview, Professor Kwaja highlighted the immense implications of this diplomatic vacuum. He noted that Nigeria currently lacks permanent representatives at the United Nations and in key "Grade A" countries like the United States, the United Kingdom, and Russia. According to him, this situation means Nigeria is not part of vital conversations concerning trade, security, and military cooperation.

For a country to be an important diplomatic actor, it must have functional missions and ambassadors who represent the president. Without them, Kwaja argues, Nigeria's voice is absent, and its interests are not being adequately protected or advanced. The prolonged absence of these envoys sends a negative signal to the international community, potentially undermining Nigeria's credibility and influence in global affairs.

This diplomatic gap can have serious consequences. Ambassadors play a crucial role in building and maintaining relationships, negotiating trade agreements, attracting foreign investment, and protecting the welfare of their citizens abroad. Nigeria's diplomatic missions are currently being managed by lower-ranking officials who lack the authority to engage in high-level negotiations, creating a bottleneck that affects both diplomacy and the economy.

The absence of ambassadors is a significant issue for a country that seeks to be a leader in Africa and a respected partner globally. Professor Kwaja's warning underscores the urgent need for the government to fill these critical diplomatic posts to restore Nigeria's presence and influence on the world stage.