Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, has warned foreign diplomatic missions against unguarded and disparaging comments as political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections intensify.
She issued the warning on Thursday, September 17, 2026, during her first formal engagement with members of the Diplomatic Corps since assuming office, in Abuja.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu urged diplomats to respect Nigeria’s sovereignty and established diplomatic protocols, particularly in their comments on the country’s domestic affairs.
She also cautioned against unsolicited lectures on democracy, urging foreign missions to exercise restraint in their public interventions.
The minister reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to democratic governance and an election that is peaceful, free, fair and credible.
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She called for closer cooperation between the Foreign Affairs Ministry and diplomatic missions, urging them to channel official communications to the Presidency, ministries, departments and agencies through the ministry for proper coordination.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu said the administration’s foreign policy was anchored on Demography, Development, Democracy and Diaspora.
She disclosed plans to revive dormant Joint Commissions and Bi-National Commissions to deepen cooperation with other countries in trade, investment, security, education, technology, health and agriculture.
The minister also reaffirmed Nigeria’s policy of strategic autonomy, stressing that it was aimed at protecting the country’s sovereign interests and did not amount to isolation.
She said Nigeria would continue to pursue dialogue, multilateral cooperation and peaceful resolution of disputes in its international relations.
The warning comes as political activities build towards the 2027 elections, with the government urging foreign missions to conduct their engagements with Nigeria through established diplomatic channels.