Political scientist, Kunle Fagbemi, has blamed Nigeria’s prolonged ambassadorial vacuum and diplomatic discomfort on what he described as a political system dominated by “actors” with little understanding of statecraft.
Speaking in an interview with ARISE News on Tuesday, Fagbemi reacted to growing concerns that several countries are yet to grant agrément to Nigeria’s newly nominated ambassadors, amid fears that their tenure may be too short to justify acceptance by host governments.
Since the nomination of ambassadors-designate, senior officials within the Presidency and the Foreign Service have disclosed that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has struggled to secure the formal consent required from receiving states. With Nigeria’s next presidential election scheduled for February 2027 and President Bola Tinubu’s first term ending in May of that year, officials worry that some countries may be reluctant to accept envoys whose postings may last barely a year.
Commenting on the situation, Fagbemi said, “Painfully, we have a system populated by actors who have no business coming to government. And if they must come into government, they need to understand that they are dealing with statecraft. Statecraft is completely different from any form of grandstanding. I’ve just told you the language used by a number of them in communicating lacks the decency and the panache of somebody who is nuanced in statecraft. Two, you have a situation where you have people that are struggling to validate the incumbent at all costs and as such are not ready to read. And if they do read, what are they reading?”
Citing the 1961 Vienna Convention and subsequent diplomatic protocols, Fagbemi stressed that no country is permitted to operate an embassy without an ambassador for more than 90 days, a standard Nigeria has failed to meet since recalling its envoys in September 2023.
“You cannot have removed and recalled ambassadors since September 2023 and you’ve done nothing and you expect those host countries to be clapping for you,” he said. “They will react — and that is exactly what is happening.”
Fagbemi also faulted the Senate for approving some nominees despite public objections, accusing the legislature of rubber-stamping appointments without sufficient scrutiny.
He warned that foreign governments are paying close attention and are responding accordingly, describing the current situation as a predictable diplomatic backlash rather than an unexpected setback.
Melissa Enoch
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