The Federal Government has officially prohibited the unauthorised use of the title “Ambassador,” declaring that only individuals formally appointed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu are legally recognised to bear the designation. The government further stated that the unauthorised use or conferment of such titles now constitutes a criminal offence.
The directive was announced on Friday in Abuja by the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, who expressed concern over the growing misuse of the title, which has caused confusion within diplomatic circles. According to Ebienfa, the Ministry has been receiving inquiries from foreign missions seeking to verify the status of Nigerians parading themselves as ambassadors.
He attributed the trend to organisations that arbitrarily confer ambassadorial titles, often for a fee running into millions of naira, with promises of diplomatic passports, special airport treatment, and immunity abroad. Ebienfa warned that such practices are fraudulent and amount to impersonation.
The government also clarified that while individuals may serve as brand ambassadors for commercial purposes, such roles carry no legal or diplomatic authority. “Brand ambassadors have no legal right to add the title ‘Ambassador’ to their names. That designation is not recognised by our laws in that context,” he said.
The Ministry is collaborating with security agencies, including the Nigeria Immigration Service and the Federal Road Safety Corps, to identify and prosecute offenders.
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