The Nigerian government has commended member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) for respecting established diplomatic channels in their engagements with Nigeria.
The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, gave the commendation in Abuja while receiving the Ambassador of the Philippines to Nigeria, Mersole J. Mellejor, who paid a courtesy visit.
ASEAN is a regional organisation comprising 10 Southeast Asian countries focused on political, economic and security cooperation. Five ASEAN countries—Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines and Vietnam—currently maintain diplomatic missions in Nigeria.
In a statement by the Special Assistant, Media and Strategic Communications, Raphael Oni, Enikanolaiye said while many diplomatic partners, particularly those from ASEAN, had maintained proper diplomatic decorum, some other missions in Abuja had developed the practice of bypassing official channels.
He warned that such conduct would no longer be tolerated.
“Our job is to make your work easy. I am pleased that you respect our diplomatic protocols. You did not take advantage of any of our lapses, as some have been inclined to do,” the minister said.
He said: “We will be meeting with the Diplomatic Corps to address these concerns. Going forward, bypassing diplomatic channels will no longer be welcome.”
The minister reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to deepening relations with the Philippines and other ASEAN countries under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
He said Nigeria’s economy was on a positive trajectory and open to partnerships, with government reforms focused on key sectors including agriculture, commerce, manufacturing, oil and gas.
Enikanolaiye also disclosed that Nigeria had signed visa-waiver agreements with about 20 countries for holders of diplomatic and official/service passports to facilitate official engagements and ease doing business.
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He urged the Philippines to fast-track the signing of a similar agreement with Nigeria.
According to him, additional agreements are also being developed to further strengthen bilateral relations.
The minister welcomed the Philippines’ decision to construct a permanent embassy in Abuja, describing the development as a demonstration of confidence in Nigeria-Philippines relations.
He noted that Nigeria and the Philippines are marking 65 years of diplomatic relations this year, with both countries looking forward to high-level and other exchanges in the near future.
“Our economy is on the right trajectory, and we are pleased about that as the strong foundation for the pursuit of mutually beneficial economic relations between our two countries,” he said.
Enikanolaiye also noted that the two countries had continued to cooperate at international fora, including supporting each other’s candidates, which he said demonstrated the strength of their bilateral friendship.
He said the Federal Government would pursue stronger diplomatic ties through exchange programmes and the convening of a Joint Commission.
The minister also called for proper and dignified treatment of Nigerians visiting the Philippines.
Earlier, Ambassador Mellejor commended the longstanding friendship between Nigeria and the Philippines, noting that about 9,000 Nigerian students are currently studying in the Philippines without major incidents.
He described the development as a testament to the cordial relations between the peoples of both countries.
The ambassador expressed his country’s interest in expanding bilateral cooperation beyond the gas sector to areas including urea production, manufacturing, labour exchange and online seminars.
The Federal Government reiterated its readiness to work with diplomatic missions that respect Nigeria’s laws and established procedures, while strengthening trade, investment and cultural exchanges with ASEAN countries and other international partners.
