The Federal House of Representatives in Nigeria has called on the Federal Government to suspend its planned recall of Nigerian heads of chancery from foreign missions abroad. The resolution was made following a motion of urgent public importance titled “Urgent Need to halt the move to recall all Nigerian heads of chancery from Nigeria’s Foreign Missions abroad,” presented by Mr. Umar Ajilo, the representative of Makarfi/Kudan Federal Constituency in Kaduna State.
President Bola Tinubu had recalled all Nigerian ambassadors, both career and non-career, on September 2, 2023, with a deadline for their return set for October 31, 2023. The recall, communicated by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, affects over 300 foreign missions.
Hon. Ajilo highlighted the crucial functions of Nigeria’s heads of diplomatic missions, emphasizing their role in representing the government, presenting policies, safeguarding nationals’ interests, and providing public services for Nigerians abroad, including documentation and citizens’ evacuation from dangerous locations.
The motion expressed concern over the potential hazards of recalling all heads of chancery while Nigeria has no ambassadors, suggesting it could be viewed as a sign of political instability, impacting diplomatic relations and service delivery to Nigerians abroad.
The House urged the Federal Government to suspend any plans for recalling heads of chancery from foreign missions and mandated the House Committee on Foreign Affairs to collaborate with the Minister of Foreign Affairs to address issues related to Nigeria’s foreign missions, reporting back to the House for further legislative actions.
