The Price of Nigeria’s Diplomatic Vacuum, by Alabidun Shuaib AbdulRahman 

There is a language nations speak without words: the handful of flags that fly over their embassies, the names on the placards at international conferences, the faces who present credentials to foreign heads of state. A steady, visible, and authorised presence is itself a powerful form of diplomacy. Conversely, absence speaks too: it is read as drift, as indifference, as lack of capacity. For over two years now, Nigeria has been sending a troubling message to the world by omission and the recent storm around U.S. reactions to violence in Nigeria has only made that silence more dangerous.

In September 2023, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ordered an unprecedented recall of Nigerian envoys, a sweeping reset that swept through 109 missions worldwide. The recall was widely reported and framed as part of a “comprehensive restructuring” of the foreign service. Yet what followed was not a quick redeployment but a prolonged vacuum. Many of Nigeria’s 109 missions, by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ own count, made up of 76 embassies, 22 high commissions, and 11 consulates, have operated for over 25 months and counting without substantive ambassadors.

This is not trivia. Ambassadors are not ceremonial appointments; they are policy instruments. They lobby, they explain, they convene, they protect citizens, and often they move quietly to avert crises that would otherwise become headlines.

The danger of that deficit became painfully visible in the past fortnight when the United States took a dramatic step: Nigeria was added to a religious-freedom watch list and President Donald Trump publicly warned of sanctions and even threatened military “action” if alleged abuses were not addressed. The statement as reported across major outlets did not arise in a vacuum. It surfaced at a moment when narratives about insecurity in Nigeria, amplified by transnational networks and sympathetic political forces in Washington, had already gained purchase.

In such moments, a credible and well-placed ambassador can make an enormous difference — briefing congressional staff, arranging private meetings with State Department principals, convening diaspora interlocutors and think-tank experts, and getting the facts, context and data into the hands of decision makers. With a substantive ambassador absent, those lines of direct, high-level persuasion are far weaker.

Look back and you will see how effective envoys have been in previous crises. Nigeria’s ambassadors have repeatedly been the country’s first line of defence in moments of reputational peril. Joy Uche Angela Ogwu, who served as Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, chaired the UN Security Council and used that platform to shape debates about peacekeeping and African security, raising Nigeria’s profile at critical junctures. Christopher Kolade’s tenure in London helped restore confidence in Nigerian-UK relations in the early 2000s; his personal credibility smoothed rough political moments and opened space for trade and cooperation. And career diplomats such as Ade Adefuye in Washington combined scholarship with statecraft to keep complex bilateral channels open when tensions threatened to escalate. These are not anecdotal footnotes: they are evidence that skilled ambassadors change outcomes.

The facts of Nigeria’s current political economy make this vacuum all the more costly. Formal diaspora remittances rose sharply in 2024: the Central Bank of Nigeria reported that personal remittance receipts increased to about $20.9 billion in 2024 — a lifeline for families, a buffer for foreign-exchange reserves, and a major instrument of economic resilience. That stream of capital arrives and is mediated through embassies and consulates that service diasporas in the United States, Europe and the Gulf. Where missions are leaderless or under-resourced, vital consular functions suffer and diaspora engagement weakens.

At home, the macroeconomic and social context is thorny. Headline inflation after peaking in 2024 was reported to have eased to around 18.02% in September 2025, a signal of nascent stabilization but still a heavy burden for citizens struggling with the rising cost of living. Unemployment figures remain contested because of methodological revisions at the statistical office, but credible reporting and international observers warn that youth under-employment and precarious work remain structural challenges that require external partnerships (investment, skills exchanges, technology transfers) to address meaningfully. Ambassadors are key to courting that investment and to telling the nuanced story of reform on the ground.

So what precisely does Nigeria stand to lose and what could a full diplomatic corps still salvage?

First, influence in high-stakes bilateral relationships. The United States, the United Kingdom, China, the Gulf states and the European Union are not just partners; they are sources of investment, security cooperation and multilateral leverage. An ambassador with a direct line to Washington or Brussels can move quickly to protect bilateral programmes, reassure partners, and correct misrepresentations as past envoys have done during periods of acute scrutiny. The absence of properly accredited envoys reduces Nigeria to reactive press statements delivered from the Presidency rather than proactive personal diplomacy in the capitals that matter.

Second, the operational loss: trade facilitation, investor matchmaking and visa reciprocity. Nigeria’s spot at the table in negotiations over AfCFTA rules, digital trade norms, and technical cooperation is best defended by envoys who know both the domestic policy detail and the host country’s political rhythms. Several recent reports have highlighted how coordination problems between ministries and missions slowed post-summit follow-ups after presidential trips as opportunities erode faster than rhetoric.

Third, diaspora protection and remittances. Embassies are the interface for millions of Nigerians abroad. When missions are understaffed or run by officers with limited mandate, the timeliness and effectiveness of consular assistance from passport services to crisis interventions deteriorate. This is more than inconvenience. It damages confidence, reduces formal remittance channels and diminishes the state’s capacity to mobilise its diaspora as economic and political assets.

Fourth, reputational repair. Foreign-policy shocks stick. Narratives once set whether about corruption, insecurity, or human-rights violations become grist for activists, competitors, and foreign legislatures. Ambassadors are the corrective lens that present balanced data, context and counter-narratives. Without them, the field is left to town criers abroad and hostile networks who have incentives to amplify worst-case versions of our reality. The Trump episode is an instructive example: the designation and the rhetoric around it show how quickly international policy can be reframed by a small but influential political ecosystem.

This is not to excuse poor choices or to ask for haste without quality. Ambassadorial appointments must be meritocratic, transparent and strategic. Nigeria’s foreign service needs both seasoned career diplomats and well-qualified non-career appointees who understand the country’s reform agenda. Ambassadors must be given clear, measurable mandates: increase two-way investment by X percent within Y years; secure technical partnerships in health and security; deepen research and educational linkages; protect diaspora welfare; and actively manage national narratives in host countries. Those targets make appointments accountable and useful.

There are signs the presidency recognises the urgency. Reports in national outlets indicate that the administration has moved to finalise ambassadorial lists and that nominations are expected to be announced. If true, the moment is to get it right, but without turning diplomacy into patronage. A carefully selected diplomatic bench, empowered with clear objectives and proper resourcing, can begin the work of repairing lost ground and seizing opportunities.

Finally, a larger principle underwrites the immediate ask: diplomacy is national infrastructure. Like rail or broadband, it must be maintained lest the nation’s productive capacity shrink. For a country as large and consequential as Nigeria, diplomats are not expendable extras; they are assets of sovereignty. The choice to leave missions headless for too long is a strategic gamble that exacts real costs in economic, security and reputational.

The practical remedy is straightforward: nominate steadily, vet transparently, deploy decisively, and hold envoys to clear deliverables. But the moral case is as important: if a nation expects the world to take its reforms, its developmental aspirations, and its security concerns seriously, it must be present where the world decides. Silence in the corridors of influence will be read as absence of will. Nigeria cannot afford either.

A restored and purposeful diplomatic corps will not fix every problem. But it will restore Nigeria’s voice, the first indispensable step toward shaping the narratives that determine whether we are judged by our worst headlines or by our capacity to reform, to protect citizens, and to compete for the future. If the Tinubu administration is serious about the Renewed Hope Agenda, then it must treat ambassadorial appointments as policy imperatives, not political rewards.

Alabidun is a media practitioner and can be reached via alabidungoldenson@gmail.com

Samia Suluhu Wins Re-election in Tanzania Amid Violence, Opposition Outcry

Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan has secured another term in office with an overwhelming 98 per cent of the vote, following an election marred by deadly violence, mass protests, and opposition allegations of widespread fraud.

The country’s electoral commission announced the results on Saturday, declaring the incumbent victorious after Wednesday’s poll, which was conducted under tense conditions marked by an internet blackout and the exclusion of key opposition figures.

According to official figures, Samia, who leads the long-ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party, polled 97.66 per cent of the total votes cast, with a voter turnout put at nearly 87 per cent.

The opposition, however, has rejected the results, describing the process as “a mockery of democracy.”

The declaration sparked widespread unrest across major cities, particularly in Dar es Salaam and Arusha, where protesters clashed with police and soldiers.

Eyewitnesses reported scenes of chaos as demonstrators tore down campaign posters and burned tyres, chanting slogans demanding justice and a rerun of the election.

Opposition sources and human rights groups have painted a grim picture of the situation.

The Chadema Party claimed that about 700 people have been killed in the crackdown, while a diplomatic source quoted by the BBC suggested at least 500 confirmed fatalities.

However, the government has downplayed the scale of the violence. Foreign Minister Mahmoud Kombo Thabit described the incidents as “isolated disturbances,” insisting that security forces acted “swiftly and decisively” to maintain peace. Authorities have since extended a national curfew, citing the need to “restore order and protect lives.”

Critics argue that the election outcome was all but predetermined. The two main opposition figures, Tundu Lissu, who is facing treason charges, and Luhaga Mpina of the ACT-Wazalendo Party, who was disqualified on technical grounds were prevented from contesting.

Their exclusion effectively handed the CCM an open field, with only minor candidates permitted to run.

“The results are a complete fabrication,” a Chadema spokesperson said. “This election was neither free nor fair. It was conducted under intimidation, fear, and bloodshed.”

The developments in Tanzania have drawn widespread international condemnation.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed concern over the situation, urging all parties to prevent further escalation and to respect human rights.

In a joint statement, the governments of the United Kingdom, Canada, and Norway cited “credible reports of a large number of fatalities and significant injuries,” calling for an independent investigation into the violence.

Rights group Amnesty International also condemned the election process, accusing the government of orchestrating a “wave of terror” that included arbitrary arrests, torture, and enforced disappearances of opposition supporters claims the authorities have strongly denied.

Samia Praises Security Forces, Labels Protesters ‘Unpatriotic’

In her victory speech, President Samia commended security agencies for “protecting national peace and stability” during the polls.

She described protesters as “unpatriotic elements bent on destabilising the nation.”

“Tanzania has once again proven its commitment to peace and democracy,” she said. “The will of the people has spoken, and no one will be allowed to undermine it.”

Her remarks have drawn criticism from civil society groups, who argue that the government’s heavy-handed response has eroded public trust and pushed the country toward deeper political uncertainty.

President Samia, who first assumed office in 2021 following the death of John Magufuli, was initially praised for promising to open up civic space and reverse some of her predecessor’s authoritarian policies.

However, in recent years, her administration has faced mounting criticism over its handling of dissent, with growing reports of intimidation, media restrictions, and arrests of opposition leaders.

Analysts say the latest election outcome cements the CCM’s unbroken dominance since independence but raises questions about the country’s democratic trajectory.

“Tanzania is at a crossroads,” said one political analyst in Dar es Salaam. “What we are witnessing is the consolidation of power under a system that leaves little room for genuine opposition or accountability.”

With her re-election now confirmed, President Samia faces the dual challenge of restoring confidence at home and repairing Tanzania’s image abroad.

As curfews remain in place and communication networks slowly return, the scale of the violence and the true death toll may only become clearer in the coming days.

Obama Storms Virginia, New Jersey in Last-Minute Push for Democrats

Former U.S. President Barack Obama has returned to the campaign trail, lending his political weight to two crucial Democratic gubernatorial candidates in Virginia and New Jersey as both states prepare to head to the polls on Tuesday.

Obama, one of the Democratic Party’s most influential voices, is set to headline rallies in Norfolk, Virginia, and Newark, New Jersey, this weekend in support of Abigail Spanberger and Mikie Sherrill, the party’s flagbearers in the high-stakes elections.

The two races are widely viewed as an early test of the national political mood and a referendum on the country’s direction under Donald Trump’s presidency.

In Virginia, Obama will campaign alongside former congresswoman Abigail Spanberger, who is locked in a tight race against Republican Lieutenant Governor Winsome Earle-Sears.

Later in the day, he will appear in Newark to drum up support for Representative Mikie Sherrill, who faces a stiff challenge from Republican Jack Ciattarelli, a former state lawmaker.

Party insiders say the choice of venues both cities with significant Black populations is deliberate, as Obama’s enduring popularity among minority voters remains one of the Democrats’ strongest mobilization tools.

A senior Democratic strategist said Obama’s presence is expected to “inject late momentum into both campaigns,” noting that voter turnout in urban areas could be decisive.

The rallies mark the climax of a weeklong show of force by the Democratic establishment. Several high-profile governors, many seen as potential 2028 presidential hopefuls have already joined the campaign trail to support Spanberger and Sherrill.

Among them are Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, Maryland’s Wes Moore, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, Pennsylvania’s Josh Shapiro, and Michigan’s Gretchen Whitmer.

Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg also campaigned with Sherrill earlier in the week, using the event to criticise the Trump administration’s cancellation of the Gateway Tunnel rail project, a major infrastructure initiative that would have improved transit across the New York–New Jersey corridor.

While both Virginia and New Jersey are traditionally Democratic-leaning, analysts warn that complacency could be costly.

In 2021, Republicans stunned observers when Glenn Youngkin won the Virginia governorship, signalling conservative gains in suburban areas once considered Democratic strongholds.

In New Jersey, Sherrill’s lead has been consistent but narrow. Her opponent, Ciattarelli, has downplayed the impact of Obama’s visit, insisting that his campaign’s strength lies in “grassroots connections with ordinary voters.”

“This is what I refer to as the choreography of campaigns,” Ciattarelli told reporters after casting his vote on Friday. “Our focus is on the people, not on celebrity endorsements.”

The twin elections are being closely monitored in Washington and beyond. Political observers describe them as a barometer of the public mood ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, a critical period that could reshape the balance of power in Congress.

If Democrats secure victories in both states, it could provide a morale boost and signal renewed voter confidence in the party’s leadership.

However, any upset would likely embolden Republicans and fuel debate over Democratic strategy heading into the next national election cycle.

For Obama, this weekend’s appearances mark a return to familiar territory: rallying the Democratic base with his trademark blend of optimism and urgency.

At a private event ahead of the rallies, the former president reportedly told supporters that the upcoming elections are about “keeping the country on the path of inclusion, fairness, and forward progress.”

“Elections are about the future,” Obama said. “And the future we want is one where every American feels seen, valued, and protected.”