The diplomatic community yesterday rued the brewing spat between Nigeria and the United States, partly blaming it on poor handling in the absence of full-fledged ambassadors in Nigeria’s various foreign missions overseas.
This is just as the United Arab Emirates also imposed tougher entry conditions for Nigerian travellers and banned transit visa applications entirely, travel agents confirmed on Tuesday.
According to new directives from Dubai immigration, Nigerians aged 18 to 45 will no longer be eligible for tourist visas unless accompanied. For those aged 45 and above, visa applicants must present a personal six-month bank statement showing a minimum monthly balance of $10,000 (or its naira equivalent).
The Nigerian government’s 109 foremost diplomatic offices abroad have been vacant since President Bola Tinubu recalled all ambassadors in September 2023 and has yet to replace any to date.
Diplomats argued that the absence of top-quality representatives in other countries, including the United States, has left Nigeria vulnerable in the feisty international politics, and made her cases most difficult to plead where they matter the most.
The concerns were triggered by the U.S. revised visa regime and its reciprocity schedule for Nigerian citizens, limiting the validity of non-immigrant visas, including B1/B2, F and J categories, to three months with a single entry.
Similarly, Nigeria has been ignored in President Donald Trump’s hosting of presidents of Senegal, Liberia, Guinea-Bissau, Mauritania, and Gabon at the White House for a lunch meeting, with commerce and trade expected as key agenda items.
These developments, though not exclusive to Nigeria, were partly linked to a brewing diplomatic spat over President Bola Tinubu’s attendance at the BRICS summit, which the U.S. dubbed “anti-American”.
The U.S. president had threatened an additional 10 per cent tariff on some countries for participating in the BRICS summit just concluded in Brazil.
Concerned diplomats have attributed some of the challenges in the U.S. and beyond to the delay in appointing substantive envoys to its foreign missions.
Professor of International Relations and former Ambassadorial Fellow, Aderemi Ajibewa, believes that the absence of principal envoys has contributed largely to the diplomatic rows between Nigeria and the U.S.
Ajibewa, however, urged Nigeria to prioritise the appointment of ambassadors and high commissioners to man its missions abroad with professionalism and expertise, especially at this critical time. He said this will allow for adequate negotiations and diplomacy among the comity of nations.
He said: “If we have got an ambassador in most of these countries, they would have taken the matter up. I think most of these developed countries are now playing on that because anybody less than an ambassador in any country will never be recognised, even if they have the chance to be. So, these diplomatic issues in place are trying to step up the need for the Nigerian government to send out experts or ambassadors.”
Noting that the U.S. might have acted in line with the United Nations reciprocity agreement rather than witch-hunting, Ajibewa, however, insisted that the issue deserves urgent attention.
“I don’t see it as a witch hunt, given the fact that it is not only in Nigeria that it is being taken up. Some countries have even been on what we call the White List. Some have also been on what they call the Exclusion list.”
Similarly, the former Nigeria’s Ambassador to Mexico, Amb. Ogbole Amedu Ode, said that when it comes to visa policy, reciprocity is usually the rule of the game.
“So, if Nigeria has not given five years multiple entry visas to the U.S., it reserves the right to reciprocate. If, however, we were giving them five years of multiple entry visas and suddenly, the Donald Trump administration is changing the narrative, then it means there must be something there that meets the eye, but I cannot say now what the matter is.
“Also, the American President met some African Presidents, and Nigeria was isolated, not invited. Again, I will tell you I don’t understand, but whatever it is. Any isolation from the U.S. or any other country is a blessing in disguise because that will compel us to look inwards for other options.”
Amb Ode regretted the delay in the appointment of ambassadors to Nigerian missions. “Nobody has envisaged that it was going to stretch this long. The consequences of not having principal envoys in our missions are enormous. Diplomacy being a game of seniority protocol, there are certain areas where if it is not the principal envoy, that country will not be taken seriously,” he said.
Foreign affairs ministry faults revised visa regime
Reacting to the development, the federal government said the U.S. decision undermined the longstanding cordial relations and strong people-to-people ties between the two countries.
In a statement issued yesterday by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the government held that the decision appeared misaligned with the principles of reciprocity, equity and mutual respect that guide bilateral engagements between friendly nations.
“Nigeria notes that this restriction places a disproportionate burden on Nigerian travellers, students seeking academic opportunities, professionals engaging in legitimate business, families visiting loved ones, and individuals contributing to cultural and educational exchanges.”
While urging the U.S. to reconsider the decision in the spirit of partnership, cooperation and shared global responsibilities, it informed that diplomatic engagements are ongoing as the government remains committed to pursuing a resolution that reflects fairness and upholds the values of mutual interest.
Former Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Permanent Representative of Nigeria to the African Union, Amb Bulus Lolo, said the new visa policy has nothing to do with the level of representation.
According to him, it may have more to do with the type and duration of the visa that Nigeria grants to American nationals. “It was not long ago, under President Joe Biden, when the USA changed its non-immigrant two-year multiple entry visa to five years visa for Nigerians. It is most unfortunate for this policy to be reversed,” he said.
Recall that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had, in September 2023, recalled all serving heads of diplomatic missions across the globe. Almost two years later, there are no indications that the issue, as crucial as it appears presently, is receiving any attention from the government.
The fact that the entire 109 missions are headed by chargé d’affairs has raised concerns over the country’s ability to effectively project itself before the global community.
Although the Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs, Hon. Oluwole Oke, told The Guardian of an existing nomination list pending before security agencies, his statement might not be taken seriously, considering that similar assurances were given in the past without a result.
For instance, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, assured Nigerians in March that the list of new envoys should be expected “soon.” It has been four months since he gave the assurance, and the wait has persisted.
Oke told The Guardian that while it was constitutional and appropriate to appoint ambassadors, Mr. President has genuine reasons for the delay. He also reiterated that the appointment of ambassadors is the prerogative of the President.
Tuggar had, at the beginning of the current administration, decried poor funding and its consequences in running foreign missions, especially with the dwindling fortune of the naira.
He said: “We met a situation where Foreign Affairs was not funded the way it should. There is no point sending out ambassadors if you don’t have the funds for them to even travel to their designated countries. To run the missions effectively, one needs funding.”
Critics have described the delay in naming new envoys as a misplaced priority. While not undermining the capacity of chargé d’affairs, they felt there was a limitation to their powers.
A staff member of the Foreign Affairs Ministry, who pleaded anonymity, feared that the continuous absence of confirmed ambassadors in critical missions such as the United Nations, United States, United Kingdom and the European Union, could create a diplomatic vacuum that can be easily exploited by other countries of the world.
“This can also result in loss of influence and weak relationships with host countries or mitigate the ability to advance our country’s interests abroad because there are certain meetings chargés cannot attend with the government of the host country. Presence of ambassadors matters a lot and as such, the delay in their appointment has affected the country in several ways”, the source said.
Former National Chairman, Inter Party Advisory Council (IPAC) and 2019 Presidential Candidate, Chief Peter Ameh, blamed the delay partly on the underfunding of the foreign ministry, which oversees diplomatic missions.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, including diplomatic missions, was allocated ₦353.77 billion in the 2025 fiscal year, which is equivalent to approximately $221.1 million at an open market exchange rate of ₦1,600 to $1.
Although this was an improvement on the N130 billion allocated in the previous year, Ameh believed it was grossly insufficient for the effective running of the ministry and its foreign missions.
“This grossly insufficient funding not only undermines our diplomatic capabilities but also signals a troubling lack of strategic vision and competence in managing our external relations.”
Ameh added that the functions of diplomatic missions are pivotal to driving foreign investment, securing trade partnerships and enhancing Nigeria’s influence in international organisations.
“So, allocation of just ₦353.77 billion to this critical ministry is a stark indication of misplaced priorities. To put this figure into perspective, $221.1 million is a paltry sum compared to the operational costs of maintaining embassies, consulates and high commissions across the world, not to mention the expenses associated with diplomatic engagements, staff welfare and strategic initiatives aimed at advancing Nigeria’s global agenda.
“This underfunding is not merely a budgetary oversight; it is a recipe for failure that jeopardises Nigeria’s ability to compete in an increasingly interconnected and competitive world.
“The implications of this inadequate allocation are far-reaching. Nigeria’s foreign missions, already grappling with challenges such as unpaid allowances and dilapidated infrastructure, will be further strained, diminishing their capacity to effectively represent the nation. Our diplomats, who serve as the face of Nigeria abroad, deserve the resources necessary to carry out their duties with dignity and efficiency.
“The government must act swiftly to correct this budgetary anomaly and demonstrate its commitment to a vibrant and effective foreign policy. Anything less would be a disservice to the Nigerian people and a betrayal of our aspirations for a prosperous and influential future”, Ameh said.
Many also felt that blaming the delay on paucity of funds was unconvincing and further undermined the country’s reputation as a serious global player.
“While the government cites financial constraints, it has allocated substantial resources to other initiatives that are less important, such as N39 billion for the renovation of the International Conference Centre, revealing a misalignment of priorities”, Ameh held.
Adding: “Diplomacy is not a luxury but a necessity for a nation of Nigeria’s stature, and the failure to fund ambassadorial appointments signals disorganisation and a lack of strategic vision.
“We urge President Tinubu to prioritise the immediate appointment of competent, high-calibre ambassadors to restore Nigeria’s diplomatic credibility and protect its national interests. The continued absence of envoys risks further eroding Nigeria’s global influence, alienating potential investors and diminishing the country’s role as a regional leader. Nigeria cannot afford to remain faceless on the world stage”, he advised.
Also, a Public Affairs analyst, Mr Paul Ejime, warned that the delay may take a toll on the country, particularly as the government is seeking foreign investment and trying to market the country abroad.
“Visiting different countries is good, but where are the ambassadors whose job it is to protect the interests of the country abroad? Other countries have their ambassadors in Nigeria. Why leave your flank open and vulnerable? He asked.
Ejime wondered whether the delay was aimed at saving foreign exchange, paucity of funds or dearth of manpower, either in the foreign service or at the political level to fill these positions.
“But it is an own goal by Nigeria if you ask me, and there is no reason for it. Nigeria cannot claim to be incapable of appointing ambassadors, even if there are hundreds of embassies. If other countries can maintain ambassadors, why can’t Nigeria? Ejime asked.” Noting that Nigeria is not an island, he frowned at a situation where it deals with the rest of the world without ambassadors. “It is like sending a farmer to the farm without the tools”, he said.
Some senior staff of the foreign affairs ministry due for ambassadorial postings, particularly those due for retirement, are within the lifespan of the current administration and have lamented their stagnation.
A source disclosed that affected potential carrier ambassadors are aggrieved over the delay, as uncertainty shrouds their possibility of reaching the peak of their career before retirement.
Meanwhile, some of them currently serve as chargés in some countries, hoping to be named substantive ambassadors soon.(Guardian)
