By Omoyeni Ojeifo
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has warned foreign missions against bypassing established diplomatic channels to contact the Presidency, ministers and heads of government agencies directly on official matters.
The warning emailed to PersecondNews on Thursday, was contained in a dispatch by Amb. Sola Enikanolaiye, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, titled “Nigeria Is Hospitable, Not Helpless.”
He stressed that all official communications must be routed through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs through formal Notes Verbales.
“Drop the phone. Pick up the pen. Write the Note Verbale,” he declared.
He said some Embassy officials had increasingly resorted to direct telephone calls to senior government officials instead of using established channels.
“Going forward, strict compliance with diplomatic channels will be expected,” he warned.
Enikanolaiye recalled that at a recent meeting, he commended ASEAN missions in Nigeria for observing diplomatic protocol, stressing that proper channels strengthen rather than hinder partnership.
The warning came ahead of the September 17, 2026 interactive session with the Diplomatic Community, where the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, held her first formal briefing with the Corps since assuming office.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is your diplomatic home. Our doors and appropriate channels remain open, but established diplomatic channels must be respected,” she stated.
The ministry also reminded missions that Nigeria had simplified diplomatic operations, allowing newly appointed ambassadors and high commissioners to commence official duties after submitting the copie d’usage, without waiting for the formal presentation of Letters of Credence to the President.
The MFA said the arrangement, granted in good faith, must be reciprocated with strict adherence to protocol.
It cited Articles 41(1) and 41(2) of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, which require diplomatic personnel to respect the laws of the receiving State and conduct official business through its foreign ministry.
“The Ministry is not an obstacle between you and the Nigerian Government; we are your bridge to the Nigerian Government,” Odumegwu-Ojukwu stated.
The ministry also warned against the use of diplomatic number plates by unauthorised persons, describing the practice as a breach of Article 41(1) and a security risk that brings the diplomatic corps into disrepute.
Enikanolaiye identified eight dangers of bypassing the MFA: undermining presidential oversight, creating policy confusion, weakening security vetting, encouraging corruption of process, disrespecting national institutions, eroding diplomatic reciprocity, damaging trust and exposing senior officials to manipulation.
He further outlined the administration’s foreign policy priorities under the four Ds — Demography, Development, Democracy and Diaspora — covering youth development, economic diplomacy, constitutional governance and diaspora engagement.
The framework, he said, places Nigeria and Nigerians at the centre of foreign policy while maintaining a Nigeria-centred, Africa-conscious and globally engaged approach.
“Strategic autonomy does not mean isolation; it means preserving Nigeria’s sovereign right to determine the relationships and positions that best serve our people,” Odumegwu-Ojukwu said.
The ministry also plans to revitalise inactive Joint Commissions and Bi-national Commissions to advance cooperation in trade, investment, security, education, technology, health and agriculture.
Enikanolaiye stressed that diplomatic relationships should ultimately be measured by the tangible benefits they produce for Nigerians.
“Nigeria is warm, generous, and open for partnership. But our hospitality must not be mistaken for weakness. Nigeria remains a willing, capable and strategic partner,” he stated.
He urged missions to use the MFA as the established channel for government engagement.
“My Ministry’s job is to make your work easy. Use us.”
The prescribed route remains: Embassy → Note Verbale → MFA → MDA/Presidency → MFA → Embassy.
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