Lagos, Nigeria — Media executive and diaspora affairs advocate, Obinna Ejianya, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to review the recently released ambassadorial nominees and replace individuals who lack public trust with reputable, credible candidates capable of representing Nigeria effectively on the global stage.
Ejianya, who is the Publisher of 9News Nigeria and Diaspora Ambassador for JusticeNow International’s NigeriaFirst initiative, made the remarks during a live interview on Melody FM Lagos, where he described the ambassadorial list as “deeply controversial and reflective of political patronage rather than national interest.”
He said Nigerians are concerned that several nominees appear to have been chosen as rewards for political loyalty rather than merit, professionalism, or diplomatic competence — a trend he warned could damage Nigeria’s already fragile global image.
“Some of the appointments clearly reflect nepotism and political patronage instead of the meritocracy that diplomacy demands. Nigeria’s ambassadors must be people the public can trust, not individuals chosen because they defended the government or supported the president,” Ejianya said.
According to him, Nigeria is currently experiencing one of the worst periods of ethnic and religious division in its history, a situation he believes is being deepened by political actors who exploit identity sentiments for self-preservation.
“Nigeria has never been this divided. Ethnic bias, religious bigotry and political tribalism have destroyed our ability to hold leaders accountable. Every group protects its own even when wrongdoing is obvious.
“This division is why corruption thrives, insecurity persists, and governance remains weak,” he noted.
Ejianya emphasized that ambassadors must not carry Nigeria’s toxic political divisions abroad. Instead, they must serve as unifying figures capable of building trust and strengthening Nigeria’s fractured identity among citizens living overseas.
He stressed that Nigeria’s diaspora community plays a powerful role in shaping public sentiment and national narratives due to the substantial financial influence of remittances and their engagement in national conversations.
“Ambassadors have two critical responsibilities: to repair Nigeria’s battered international image and to unite Nigerians in the diaspora.
“Diaspora Nigerians drive many of the narratives that influence the country because their remittances sustain millions of families. If we can unify the diaspora, that unity will flow back into the country,” he said.
Ejianya urged President Tinubu to take public concerns seriously and ensure that only individuals with credibility, integrity and national acceptance are sent to represent Nigeria in foreign missions.
“President Tinubu should remove those nominees who lack public trust and replace them with respected figures who can genuinely restore confidence. Nigeria needs envoys who can speak for all Nigerians — not for a political circle, not for a tribe, not for a religious bloc,” he added.
Calling for a reset in Nigeria’s diplomatic priorities, Ejianya insisted that foreign representation must reflect national unity, competence and transparency.
He concluded by reiterating that Nigeria’s standing in the international community depends largely on the calibre of its ambassadors.
I’m “Diplomacy is not compensation for political loyalty. It is the front line of Nigeria’s identity. The world is watching, and Nigerians deserve to be represented by people who embody integrity, unity and national purpose,” Ejianya said.
