In Abuja, veteran lawmaker Ali Ndume has called on the federal government of Nigeria to urgently deploy a cadre of high-profile diplomats namely; Bolaji Akinyemi, Babagana Kingibe and Emeka Anyaoku to defend Nigeria’s international image in the face of mounting U.S. pressure and heightened media scrutiny. This appeal comes amid a tense diplomatic environment triggered by the United States’ designation of Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC) over alleged persecution of Christians.
According to Ndume, these seasoned diplomats possess the requisite experience, global networks and strategic acumen to engage foreign governments, articulate Nigeria’s perspective, and counter narratives that are shaping the nation’s image abroad with potentially adverse impacts on our foreign relations, security cooperation and investment climate. He argued that deploying them would send a clear signal: Nigeria takes its diplomatic posture and international reputation seriously.
Political observers say the call underlines how diplomacy and national image have become inseparable from national security. In an era characterised by rapid news cycles and social-media amplification, the external narrative of Nigeria can affect investor confidence, bilateral cooperation and even multilateral support.
Analysts further note that Nigeria’s challenge is two-fold: First, address the internal security and human-rights concerns that have drawn international attention; and second, engage proactively in the global arena to reset perceptions. For Nigeria, the message from Washington is increasingly that its internal decisions especially on religion, security and governance now bear direct foreign-policy consequences.