🧨 JAGABAN AND HIS ‘GHOST-THE-WORLD’ DIPLOMACY—How President Tinubu’s ‘No Ambassadors’ Diplomacy Is Turning Nigeria Into a Global Afterthought

[✍️ By Dr Ope Banwo, Founder of Naija Lives Matter and The Mayor of Fadeyi]

Let’s not sugarcoat it—Nigeria is missing in action on the global stage, and it’s not because of war, sanctions, or some alien invasion. It’s because President Bola Ahmed Tinubu—our dearly beloved Jagaban of Bourdillon—decided to recall every single ambassador Nigeria had across the world nearly a year ago, and like most things in this administration, forgot to finish the job by appointing replacements.

Since September 2023, Nigeria has been practicing what I now christen “ghost-the-world diplomacy.” No envoys, no face, no voice, no presence—just echo chambers in embassies and blank chairs in international summits.

And yet, government apologists still have the nerve to accuse citizens of “talking down the country.” Excuse me? How do you talk down a country that’s not even talking up for itself anymore?

Let’s unpack this national embarrassment like proper Lagos boys—and I’ll give you 7 brutal reasons why this “no ambassador” policy is a certified MUGU MOVE of epic proportions:

1. Nigeria Has Muted Itself on the World Stage

An ambassador is not just a ceremonial presence. They are your nation’s loudspeaker in global discussions. Without them, Nigeria has zero input in bilateral deals, security discussions, climate agreements, or even African continental strategy. We are sitting at the table of nations without a fork, knife, or napkin. That’s not strategy. That’s institutional muteness.

2. Foreign Investors Are Laughing—and Leaving

Let me be blunt: No ambassador, no confidence. No confidence, no money. How do serious investors engage with a country that can’t even appoint official representatives abroad for 11 months? Our embassies have become underfunded, outdated reception centers run by frustrated career diplomats with no mandate. You want FDIs, but you’re ghosting foreign governments? Na mumu dey do that kind thing.

3. We’ve Officially Become the Punchline of African Diplomacy

Kenya is signing new EU trade deals. Ghana is landing diplomatic summits. South Africa is positioning on BRICS+ expansion. And Nigeria? We’re AWOL. The so-called “Giant of Africa” is now just a ghost with loud shoes and empty pockets. When it’s time for action, we’re invisible.

4. Nigerian Citizens Abroad Are On Their Own

Your passport says Federal Republic of Nigeria, but in crisis, you better call your mama—not the embassy. No ambassadors means no top-level intervention when Nigerians get into trouble, from unlawful detentions to immigration issues to legal battles. Our citizens abroad are now international orphans, abandoned by a motherland that’s more concerned about political appointments than diplomatic presence.

5. Tinubu’s Team Has No Plan, No Timeline—Just Vibes

We get it, you wanted to “reform” the foreign service. But what reform takes one year without a single replacement? Are you building the ambassadors in a lab? Has the shortlist been outsourced to Big Brother Naija producers? It’s disgraceful that a country of 200 million can’t name 50 competent people to represent it abroad.

6. Diaspora Engagement Has Been Murdered in Broad Daylight

The Nigerian diaspora sends home over $20 billion annually—more than our oil exports some years. And yet, this government treats them like an afterthought. No ambassadors means no strategic diaspora relations, no investor summits, no cultural diplomacy. Just vibes, prayers, and Nollywood premieres.

7. The Real Embarrassment Is the Gaslighting

Now here’s the kicker: this government dares to say Nigerians who criticize are the ones damaging the country’s image. Really? The people sounding the alarm are the problem, not the ones who unplugged Nigeria from the world? My brother, if this is not high-grade gaslighting, then I don’t know what is.

💬 Final Words from Fadeyi:

Dear Jagaban, you can’t run a modern country with 1990s tactics. This “ghost-the-world” strategy is not bold, it’s not visionary, and it sure as hell is not working.

You want to lead Africa? Start by showing up.
You want global respect? Send representatives.
You want to build confidence? Stop acting like you’re allergic to appointments.

Until then, please spare us the “enemies of Nigeria” sermon anytime we question nonsense policies. Nigeria is bleeding reputation—and this time, the knife is in Aso Rock’s own hand.

🎤My name is Ope Banwo, Founder of Naija Lives Matter and The Mayor of Fadeyi… and I say with respect to President Tinubu, if we truly want to Make Nigeria Great Again, we must stop ghosting the world, and start showing up like a nation that still believes in its destiny.

Silence has never built greatness—engagement has.

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