Confirmation has been made by the Federal Government regarding the disengagement of 25 ambassadors and heads of missions. The affected diplomats were issued a notice just before their disengagement.
It was noted that the diplomats expressed their concern about the suddenness of the December 31 notice previously issued to them. However, it was revealed that the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, had sent a directive to them in November, instructing their return to Nigeria on or before December 31.
Despite the pleas from some envoys for a two to three months’ extension in order to complete certain diplomatic formalities before their disengagement, they were reminded of the tenure extension granted to them by President Buhari in 2018.
Ferdinand Nwonye, a spokesperson from the foreign affairs ministry who confirmed the diplomats’ disengagement on Tuesday, December 31, stated in a previous communication that the request for an extension by the ambassadors and heads of missions was deemed selfish.
He stated, “They should have been disengaged by now. When officers, including ambassadors, are recalled, they have to leave. They can decide from there to go elsewhere. But they should surely disengage from the mission. They cannot remain. There is even another telegram that instructed that the most senior foreign service officer should take over from them.”