“Nigeria Is Committed To A Peaceful, Free, Fair And Credible Election” — Odumegwu-Ojukwu Tells Foreign Missions Ahead Of 2027

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, has cautioned foreign diplomatic missions in Nigeria against making unguarded comments, disparaging remarks or unsolicited lectures on the country’s democracy as preparations intensify for the 2027 general elections.

Odumegwu-Ojukwu gave the warning on Thursday during a diplomatic briefing with members of the Diplomatic Corps at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Abuja, her first formal engagement with the corps since assuming office as Minister of Foreign Affairs.

The minister said Nigeria’s status as Africa’s largest democracy meant that political developments in the country could have consequences beyond its borders, but stressed that foreign missions were expected to respect the country’s sovereignty, democratic processes and established diplomatic channels.

“As the 2027 general elections draw near, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs would request that missions remain guided. Recognising the fact that Nigeria is the largest democracy in Africa, and that developments in Nigeria have regional and international complications and implications, we would not look kindly upon unguarded comments, disparaging remarks, or unsolicited lectures on democracy,” she said.

Odumegwu-Ojukwu said the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remained committed to democratic governance and had pledged to deliver an election that would be peaceful, free, fair and credible.

“The Government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is committed to democracy and to delivering an election that will be peaceful, free, fair, and credible in all ramifications,” she said.

Beyond the forthcoming elections, the minister used the engagement to call for a closer working relationship between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and diplomatic missions operating in Nigeria, emphasising open communication, constructive dialogue and mutual respect.

“I want us to speak frankly, to engage constructively, and to resolve issues through dialogue, established diplomatic channels, and mutual respect,” she said.

She reminded diplomatic missions that official communications and requests directed to the Presidency, ministries, departments, agencies and other institutions of the Federal Government should ordinarily be routed through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

According to her, the requirement was intended to ensure coordination and effective follow-up rather than restrict diplomats’ access to government institutions.

“This is not intended to impede access or to create unnecessary bureaucracy. Rather, it ensures proper coordination, consistency, and effective follow-up,” she said.

“Let me emphasise that the Ministry is not an obstacle between you and the Nigerian Government; we are your bridge to the Nigerian Government.”

Odumegwu-Ojukwu said the ministry would also give renewed attention to dormant Joint Commissions and Bi-National Commissions in an effort to deepen bilateral cooperation in areas including trade, investment, security, education, technology, health and agriculture.

She argued that Nigeria’s diplomatic relationships should ultimately be assessed by the tangible benefits delivered to citizens rather than merely by the number of diplomatic meetings or communiqués produced.

“The true measure of our relationships will not be the number of meetings we hold, neither will it be the number of communiqués we issue. It will be the progress we achieve for our peoples, the investments we facilitate, the opportunities we create, the challenges we resolve, and the friendships we strengthen,” she said.

The minister restated that Nigeria’s foreign policy under the Tinubu administration is anchored on the “Four Ds” of Demography, Development, Democracy and Diaspora.

She said the policy was designed to place Nigerians at the centre of the country’s international engagements while remaining Africa-conscious and constructively engaged with the rest of the world.

Under the policy, according to the minister, Nigeria intends to leverage its youthful population through education, skills, technology, innovation and entrepreneurship while strengthening economic diplomacy, trade and investment. She said democracy represented the country’s commitment to constitutional governance and peaceful resolution of political differences, while the diaspora remained an important source of investment, knowledge transfer and national development.

Odumegwu-Ojukwu also stressed Nigeria’s commitment to what she described as “strategic autonomy,” explaining that this should not be interpreted as an attempt to isolate the country internationally.

“Strategic autonomy does not mean isolation; it means preserving Nigeria’s sovereign right to determine the relationships and positions that best serve our people,” she said.

Turning to consular relations, the minister called for improved efficiency in diplomatic correspondence, document authentication, legalisation and visa applications.

She particularly urged foreign missions to review lengthy visa-processing procedures affecting Nigerian applicants.

While acknowledging every country’s sovereign right to determine its immigration and visa policies, Odumegwu-Ojukwu said excessive delays could have serious consequences for legitimate travellers.

“While we fully respect the sovereign right of every country to determine its visa policy, excessively long waiting periods can create considerable difficulties for legitimate travellers, students, businesspersons, and families,” she said.

The minister also assured members of the Diplomatic Corps that the safety of foreign diplomatic and consular personnel, their families, premises and property remained a priority of the Nigerian Government.