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The Nigerian Government has warned against the illegal usurpation of diplomatic titles and the fraudulent conferment of ambassadorial titles by unauthorised individuals and groups, the Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, has said.
Ebienfa, in a press release on Friday, said the ministry has observed with “grave concern” the increasing activities of “unscrupulous individuals and unauthorised groups” who illegally assume diplomatic titles or confer them on unsuspecting members of the public.
“The criminal acts perpetrated by unpatriotic elements, which has become worrisome in recent times, include the unauthorised use of titles such as ‘Ambassador’, ‘Diplomatic Envoy’, or any other diplomatic nomenclature by persons who have not been duly appointed or accredited by the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” Ebienfa said.
Other offences, according to him, include “the fraudulent conferment of such titles by self-proclaimed organisations, foundations, institutes, or individuals; and the use of fake diplomatic passports, identity cards, vehicle number plates, or fake documents bearing the insignia of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
Ebienfa said some individuals illegally conferred with ambassadorial titles “parade themselves as such in official communications and even in engagements with foreign embassies in Nigeria, which has caused serious embarrassment to the Federal Government.”
“For the avoidance of doubt, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs wishes to state unequivocally that it is only the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria who has the prerogative to appoint and accredit Ambassadors,” he stated.
“Besides Mr. President, no individual, group, or non-governmental entity is permitted to confer diplomatic or ambassadorial titles.”
Ebienfa clarified that ambassadorial titles are not conferred through payment of money or subscription to membership in non-governmental organisations.
“Moreso, ambassadorial titles are not conferred with the payment of money or subscription to membership in non-governmental organisations.”
While acknowledging the nomination of “Brand Ambassadors” in the private sector, he said such roles are purely for product or service promotion and “have no legal right to add the title of Ambassador to their names.”
Ebienfa said the ministry is working with security agencies, the Nigerian Immigration Service, the Federal Road Safety Corps and other stakeholders to prosecute anyone found engaging in the illegal conferment of ambassadorial titles or the issuance of fake diplomatic vehicle number plates.
“The Federal Government remains committed to protecting the integrity of Nigeria’s diplomatic service and will not tolerate any form of misrepresentation that brings the nation to disrepute,” Ebienfa added.
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Nigeria 🇳🇬 (@NigeriaMFA) April 17, 2026
