An ex-Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Joe Keshi, has criticised President Bola Tinubu’s ambassadorial nominees alleging that some of them are unfit to represent Nigeria abroad.
According to him,some of them “should be cooling their heels in prison” instead of representing Nigeria abroad.
Ambassador Keshi spoke on Monday when he appeared on Channels Television’s “The Morning Brief.”
Keshi expressed disappointment with the list, citing concerns about the calibre of individuals selected and the exclusion of career diplomats.
Keshi described the list as a “betrayal” of Nigeria’s foreign service, which he believed had been undermined by politicians.
He noted that the ministry’s senior officials were “deeply hurt” by the exclusion of career officers from the list, adding that many diplomats felt demoralised and betrayed by the system.
The former diplomat specifically criticised former governors on the list, accusing them of “gross underperformance” and “absolute failures” while in office.
Keshi questioned the judgement of selecting individuals who had been accused of corruption and incompetence to represent Nigeria abroad.
Keshi urged President Tinubu to consider the professionalism and meritocracy of the foreign service, pleading with him to ensure that future lists reflect the qualifications and expertise of career diplomats.
He emphasised the need to restore credibility to Nigeria’s diplomatic corps and to prioritise the interests of the country over political patronage.
Stay ahead with the latest updates! Join The ConclaveNG on WhatsApp and Telegram for real-time news alerts, breaking stories, and exclusive content delivered straight to your phone. Don’t miss a headline — subscribe now!
