By Jemimah Wellington, JKNewsMedia Correspondent
MISUSE OF the “Ambassador” title in Nigeria has drawn a firm response from the Federal Government, which warned that only individuals formally appointed by the President are legally recognised to bear the designation.
JKNewsMedia.com reports that the directive was announced on Friday in Abuja by the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, during a press briefing where he raised concerns over Nigerians presenting themselves as diplomats without official backing.
He stated that the trend has created confusion within diplomatic circles, with foreign missions contacting the ministry to verify claims of ambassadorial status.
“The Ministry has been receiving inquiries from diplomatic missions asking us to verify the status of Nigerians parading themselves as ambassadors,” he said.
Ebienfa noted that the development is largely driven by organisations that confer such titles arbitrarily.
He explained that while some institutions appoint individuals as brand ambassadors for promotional purposes, recipients often adopt the title as a formal prefix.
“All these categories of persons, more often than not, add the prefix ‘Ambassador’ to their names, and that is causing serious confusion,” he said.
He cited a case involving a group offering what it described as ambassadorial appointments to Nigerians in exchange for fees running into millions of naira, with promises of diplomatic privileges such as 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,” Ebienfa said, adding that the group falsely claimed links with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The ministry stated 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,” he stated.
He stressed that no individual, group or non governmental organisation is authorised to confer diplomatic titles and insisted that ambassadorial status cannot be bought or obtained through membership of any organisation.
The government also warned against the use of fake diplomatic materials, including passports, identity cards and vehicle number plates bearing national insignia, describing such actions as criminal.
Ebienfa acknowledged the role of brand ambassadors in marketing and advocacy but clarified that such roles carry no legal or diplomatic recognition. “Brand ambassadors have no legal right to add the title ‘Ambassador’ to their names. That designation is not recognised by our laws in that context,” he said.
JKNewsMedia.com reports that disclosed that the government is working 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.
The move, he said, forms part of broader efforts to restore order in the use of official titles, noting that authorities had also cautioned against the indiscriminate use of honorary doctorate titles as formal prefixes.
On Nigeria’s foreign missions, Ebienfa acknowledged funding constraints affecting operations. “If I say we have it all perfect in terms of finance, I will be doing a disservice,” he said, adding that both headquarters and missions abroad have faced challenges.
He expressed confidence that adequate resources would be provided for newly appointed ambassadors. “We are confident that Mr. President will not appoint ambassadors that will go abroad and be stranded,” he said.
He also confirmed that some outstanding expenses related to Nigeria’s participation in the 2025 United Nations General Assembly remain unresolved but stated that efforts are ongoing to settle them.
The government reiterated its commitment to protecting the integrity of Nigeria’s diplomatic service and warned that actions capable of bringing the country into disrepute would attract legal consequences.
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