The federal government under President Bola Tinubu has issued a warning against the unauthorised use of the title "Ambassador" by individuals and organisations in Nigeria. The caution was conveyed in a statement released on Friday by Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Kimiebi Ebienfa in Abuja. The statement highlighted that some individuals illegally awarded the ambassador title now use it in official communications and engagements with foreign embassies, causing embarrassment to the government. Such actions amount to impersonation, a criminal offence, and the ministry urged all involved to stop immediately. The government also flagged the circulation and use of fake diplomatic passports, identity cards, and vehicle number plates bearing national insignia by impostors. These fraudulent documents and titles are being used to gain undue recognition and access, particularly in interactions with foreign missions. The ministry reiterated that only the president, as head of state and commander-in-chief, has the constitutional power to appoint and accredit Nigerian ambassadors. No private entity or individual has the authority to confer diplomatic titles.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemns fake ambassadors while confirming that impostors have successfully engaged with foreign embassies, raising questions about the credibility of diplomatic protocols in Nigeria. If foreign missions accepted these individuals as envoys, it suggests a failure in verification processes that should have caught such frauds. Nigerians named in such fraudulent networks risk legal consequences, yet the statement does not disclose whether any investigations are underway. The irony lies in the state exposing its own vulnerability by warning the public about breaches it failed to prevent.
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