By Zainab Bakare
The Federal Government has warned against the use and conferment of diplomatic titles, especially “Ambassador,” describing the trend as illegal and punishable under Nigerian law.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through its spokesperson Kimiebi Ebienfa, said during a press briefing that it is increasingly concerned about individuals and groups falsely claiming diplomatic status or awarding such titles without authority.
What the Government Identified
The Ministry highlighted several fraudulent practices, including:
Unauthorized use of titles like “Ambassador” and “Diplomatic Envoy”
Fake conferment of titles by unrecognized organisations
Use of counterfeit diplomatic passports and ID cards
Illegal diplomatic vehicle number plates and forged documents
It stresses that these titles have no legal backing unless officially granted.
Only the President Has the Authority
The government made it clear that only the President of Nigeria has the constitutional power to appoint and accredit ambassadors.
It added that:
No NGO, group, or individual can confer diplomatic titles
Ambassadorial titles cannot be bought or earned through memberships
Anyone falsely parading as an ambassador is committing a criminal offence
Warning to Offenders
The Ministry issued a strong warning to those involved to immediately stop, noting that security agencies have been mobilized to track and prosecute offenders.
Agencies involved include:
Nigerian Immigration Service
Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC)
Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO)
Other security bodies
Clarification on Brand Ambassadors
While acknowledging the use of “brand ambassador” in marketing, the Ministry clarified that such roles do not grant legal or diplomatic status.
Individuals in such roles must not present themselves as official ambassadors.
The Federal Government reiterated its commitment to protecting Nigeria’s diplomatic integrity and warned that any misuse of diplomatic identity will be dealt with strictly.
