SA to Tinubu on Foreign Matters Calls for Proper Use of Diplomatic Terms to Strengthen Nigeria’s Foreign Relations
Amb. Sola Enikanolaiye, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Affairs, has stressed the need for improved understanding and correct usage of diplomatic terminologies as a critical step toward strengthening Nigeria’s foreign relations and public discourse.
In a statement issued on Tuesday in Abuja and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Enikanolaiye noted that diplomatic terms are often misused or misunderstood in media reports and public discussions on Nigeria’s diplomacy, leading to confusion and misrepresentation of established practices.
The former Permanent Secretary warned that such misinterpretations could undermine Nigeria’s diplomatic engagements, stressing that diplomacy is governed by universally accepted norms as well as national customs and traditions that must be respected by states in their interactions.
“Although diplomatic practice is universal, some national peculiarities, customs and traditions are respected by states in their interactions,” he said.
According to him, failure to observe accepted diplomatic practices could give offence and create unnecessary irritants between sovereign states, thereby affecting bilateral and multilateral relations.
Enikanolaiye explained that Nigeria’s diplomatic engagements are guided by international conventions, the Foreign Service Regulations and official directives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, adding that precision in language and adherence to protocol are central to successful international relations.
“In international relations, precision of language and adherence to protocol are the bedrock of successful engagement,” he said.
He emphasised that the correct usage of diplomatic terms is essential for national prestige, effective governance and seamless diplomatic relations, lamenting the widespread misuse of concepts such as diplomatic immunity and the frequent confusion between career diplomats and political envoys.
The presidential aide called for efforts to bridge the gap between official diplomatic protocol and public understanding, particularly among media practitioners.
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Clarifying common misconceptions, Enikanolaiye explained that an embassy refers to a diplomatic mission, while the physical building housing it is known as the chancery. He added that High Commissions apply to diplomatic missions between Commonwealth member countries, while Consulates-General are subordinate missions usually located outside capital cities.
He further noted that an Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary is a diplomatic envoy with full authority to represent a country’s Head of State in international affairs.
(NAN)
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