The Federal Government has warned foreign diplomatic missions in Nigeria against bypassing established diplomatic channels, insisting that such conduct undermines mutual respect and effective bilateral relations.
The warning came as the government commended member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) for respecting Nigeria’s diplomatic protocols and engaging the country through appropriate channels.
The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, gave the warning on Thursday in Abuja when he received the Ambassador of the Philippines to Nigeria, Mersole J. Mellejor, who paid him a courtesy visit.
Enikanolaiye said while several diplomatic missions, particularly those from ASEAN countries, had consistently observed diplomatic decorum, some other embassies in Abuja had developed the practice of bypassing official channels.
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He warned that the Federal Government would no longer tolerate such conduct.
“Our job is to make your work easy. I am pleased that you respect our diplomatic protocols. You did not take advantage of any of our lapses, as some have been inclined to do,” the minister said.
“We will be meeting with the Diplomatic Corps to address these concerns. Going forward, bypassing diplomatic channels will no longer be welcome.”
The minister reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening relations with the Philippines and other ASEAN countries under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
He said Nigeria’s economy was on the right trajectory and remained open to partnerships, noting that government reforms were focused on key sectors including agriculture, commerce, manufacturing, oil and gas.
Enikanolaiye disclosed that Nigeria had signed visa-waiver agreements with about 20 countries for holders of diplomatic and official/service passports to facilitate official engagements and ease doing business.
He urged the Philippines to fast-track the conclusion of a similar agreement with Nigeria.
He added that further agreements were being considered to strengthen bilateral relations, while expressing appreciation to the Philippines for constructing a permanent embassy in Abuja, describing the development as an expression of confidence in Nigeria-Philippines relations.
According to him, Nigeria and the Philippines are celebrating 65 years of diplomatic relations this year, with both countries looking forward to high-level exchanges and other bilateral visits in the near future.
“Our economy is on the right trajectory, and we are pleased about that as the strong foundation for the pursuit of mutually beneficial economic relations between our two countries,” he said.
He added that Nigeria and the Philippines had continued to cooperate at international fora, including supporting each other’s candidates, describing the development as evidence of the strength of the bilateral relationship.
The minister said the Federal Government would pursue stronger diplomatic ties through exchange programmes and the convening of a Joint Commission between the two countries.
He also called for Nigerian citizens visiting the Philippines to be accorded proper and dignified immigration treatment.
Earlier, Ambassador Mellejor commended the longstanding friendship between Nigeria and the Philippines, noting that about 9,000 Nigerian students were currently studying in the Philippines without incidents.
He described the development as a testament to the cordial relations between the two countries and their peoples.
The Ambassador expressed his country’s interest in expanding bilateral cooperation beyond gas to areas including urea production, manufacturing, labour exchange and online seminars.
The Federal Government reiterated its readiness to work with diplomatic missions that respect Nigeria’s laws and established procedures, while seeking to deepen trade, investment and cultural exchanges with ASEAN countries and other international partners.
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