Nigeria Warns Foreign Missions on Diplomatic Protocols

The Federal Government of Nigeria issued a warning to foreign diplomatic missions against bypassing established diplomatic channels, asserting that such actions undermine mutual respect and effective bilateral relations. This warning was articulated by the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, on Thursday in Abuja during a courtesy visit from the Ambassador of the Philippines to Nigeria, Mersole J. Mellejor.

Enikanolaiye acknowledged that while many diplomatic missions, particularly from ASEAN countries, adhered to Nigeria’s diplomatic protocols, some embassies had begun bypassing official channels. He stated that this conduct would no longer be tolerated and announced plans for a meeting with the Diplomatic Corps to address these issues.

The minister reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening relations with the Philippines and other ASEAN countries under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. He also mentioned that Nigeria had signed visa-waiver agreements with about 20 countries and encouraged the Philippines to expedite a similar agreement.

Nigeria and the Philippines are celebrating 65 years of diplomatic relations this year.