The Federal Government has commended member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) for adhering to established diplomatic channels, while warning other foreign missions in Abuja against bypassing official protocols.
The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, stated this on Thursday in Abuja during a courtesy visit by the Ambassador of the Philippines to Nigeria, Mersole J. Mellejor.
Enikanolaiye noted that while ASEAN member states have consistently upheld diplomatic decorum, certain foreign embassies in the country have developed the habit of circumventing official channels. He warned that such conduct would no longer be tolerated and announced plans to meet with the diplomatic corps to address the issue.
Reaffirming Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening ties with the Philippines and other ASEAN nations under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, the Minister highlighted ongoing economic reforms in agriculture, commerce, manufacturing, and oil and gas.
He disclosed that Nigeria has signed diplomatic and official passport visa-waiver agreements with roughly 20 countries to improve the ease of doing business. He urged the Philippines to expedite the signing of a similar agreement, along with other pending bilateral frameworks.
Enikanolaiye also acknowledged the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Nigeria and the Philippines this year, expressing appreciation for the Philippines’ construction of a permanent embassy structure in Abuja as a vote of confidence in the partnership. Additionally, he raised the need for proper and dignified immigration treatment for Nigerian visitors.
Speaking earlier, Ambassador Mellejor highlighted the strong bilateral ties, noting that approximately 9,000 Nigerian students are currently studying in the Philippines without incident. He expressed his country’s intent to expand cooperation with Nigeria into urea, manufacturing, labor exchange, and online seminars.
Five ASEAN member nations currently maintain diplomatic missions in Nigeria: Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines, and Vietnam.
