Stop plan to recall heads of Chancery from Nigeria’s missions abroad, Reps urge FG

The House of Representatives on Thursday urged the federal government to put on hold any proposed plan to recall the heads of chancery from Nigeria’s foreign missions abroad.

This followed the  adoption of a motion of urgent national importance on the Need to halt the move to recall all Nigerian heads of Chancery from Nigeria’s Foreign Missions abroad moved by Hon Umar Ajilo at  a plenary session presided over by the Speaker, Hon Tajudeen Abbas

The House also mandated its Committee on Foreign Affairs to liaise with the Minister of Foreign Affairs with a view to resolve all issues in respect of Nigeria’s foreign Missions and report back to the House for further legislative actions. 

While moving the motion, Hon Ajilo noted that the core functions of the Nigeria’s heads of diplomatic missions abroad are the representation of the government of Nigeria in the receiving countries, presenting the policies of the Nigerian government to the host countries, safeguarding the interests of Nigeria nationals in the host countries whether visiting or residing and the provision of public services for their Nigerians in the host countries including assisting with documentation and citizens evacuation from dangerous locations. 

He further noted that in a worrisome development sometime in 2023, Nigeria recalled all her Ambassadors in a major diplomatic shake-up that affected both career and non-career ambassadors.

According to the lawmaker, “a development that was met with mixed reactions by Nigerians, particularly scholars of international affairs as many viewed it as a sign of instability. Aware of a current plot or move to recall all heads of chancery from all Nigerian foreign missions abroad.

“Also aware that the heads of chancery are responsible to the High Commissioners/Ambassadors whose major functions include the general administration of the Mission which entails ensuring effective communication link between the headquarters and the rest of the world, preparation of the Mission’s budget and secretary to the Mission’s Tender Board amongst others.”

Furthermore, the lawmaker noted that “Considering the important roles of the heads of Chancery to Nigerian Foreign Missions as highlighted above, the recall of all Nigerian heads of chancery at a time when Nigeria has no Ambassadors, having earlier withdrawn all her ambassadors in her foreign Missions will give credence to the dangerous assertion of political instability back home and that will be hazardous to Nigerian diplomatic relations with other countries and a huge disservice to Nigerians abroad who may need their services.”

When the motion was put into voice vote by the Speaker, it was unanimously supported by other members and the motion was referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs for further legislative action.