Federal Government Cracks Down on Misuse of 'Ambassador' Title
The Federal Government of Nigeria has issued a stern directive to curb the widespread misuse of the "Ambassador" title, emphasizing that only individuals formally appointed by the President are legally authorized to use this designation. This announcement was made on Friday in Abuja by Kimiebi Ebienfa, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, during a press briefing where he expressed deep concern over the increasing number of Nigerians presenting themselves as diplomats without official backing.
Confusion in Diplomatic Circles
According to Ebienfa, this trend has led to significant confusion within diplomatic circles, with several foreign missions contacting the ministry to verify the status of individuals claiming ambassadorial roles. "The Ministry has been receiving inquiries from diplomatic missions asking us to verify the status of Nigerians parading themselves as ambassadors," he stated, noting that the issue is largely driven by organizations that arbitrarily confer such titles.
He explained that while some institutions appoint individuals as brand ambassadors for promotional purposes, many recipients overstep by adopting the title as a formal prefix, thereby misleading the public and officials. "All these categories of persons, more often than not, add the prefix 'Ambassador' to their names, and that is causing serious confusion," Ebienfa added.
Fraudulent Schemes Exposed
Ebienfa highlighted a recent case involving a group offering ambassadorial appointments to Nigerians in exchange for fees running into millions of naira. The group promised diplomatic privileges, including special visa considerations, access to international events, and airport protocol services. "The package includes an appointment letter, diplomatic passport, vehicle number plates, and identity card. This is completely false and misleading," he said, clarifying that the group falsely claimed affiliation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The ministry stressed that such practices are illegal and warned that those involved risk prosecution for impersonation and fraud. "For the avoidance of doubt, it is only the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria who has the prerogative to appoint and accredit ambassadors," Ebienfa stated. He emphasized that no individual, group, or non-governmental organization is authorized to confer diplomatic titles, and ambassadorial status cannot be purchased or obtained through membership in any organization.
Government Action and Clarifications
The government also cautioned against the use of fake diplomatic materials, such as passports, identity cards, and vehicle number plates bearing national insignia, describing these acts as criminal. While acknowledging the role of brand ambassadors in marketing and advocacy, Ebienfa clarified that such positions carry no legal or diplomatic recognition. "Brand ambassadors have no legal right to add the title 'Ambassador' to their names. That designation is not recognized by our laws in that context," he said.
He disclosed that the government is collaborating with relevant agencies, including the Nigeria Immigration Service and the Federal Road Safety Corps, to identify and prosecute offenders involved in the fraudulent use of diplomatic titles and materials. This move is part of broader efforts by the Federal Government to restore order in the use of official titles, following recent warnings against the indiscriminate use of honorary doctorate titles.
Challenges in Foreign Missions
On the state of Nigeria's foreign missions, Ebienfa acknowledged that funding constraints have affected operations but assured that steps are being taken to address the situation. "If I say we have it all perfect in terms of finance, I will be doing a disservice," he noted, mentioning that both headquarters and missions abroad have faced challenges. However, he expressed confidence that adequate resources would be provided to support newly appointed ambassadors. "We are confident that Mr. President will not appoint ambassadors that will go abroad and be stranded," he added.
He also confirmed that some outstanding expenses related to Nigeria's participation in the 2025 United Nations General Assembly remain unresolved but said efforts are ongoing to settle them. The government reiterated its commitment to protecting the integrity of Nigeria's diplomatic service, warning that any act capable of bringing the country into disrepute would be met with appropriate legal action.
