How Career Diplomats Saved the Day for Nigeria at the UN – Akande

• Laolu Akande praised Nigerian diplomats for maintaining the country’s prominence at the 2024 UN General Assembly despite President Tinubu’s absence
• Akande highlighted the importance of Nigeria’s Day One speaking slot, which was preserved through the diplomats’ strategic efforts and negotiation skills

Former Presidential media aide, Laolu Akande, commended Nigerian career diplomats for preserving Nigeria’s prominence at the 2024 United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). Speaking on his weekly program, Inside Sources, broadcast on Channels Television from New York, Akande highlighted how these diplomats successfully navigated a potentially challenging situation due to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s absence from the global summit.

Akande noted that President Tinubu’s decision to focus on domestic issues led to his non-attendance at the UNGA, which posed a unique challenge for Nigerian diplomats. Traditionally, heads of state present at the assembly are given priority in the speaking order, and with over 70 presidents attending this year, Nigeria risked losing its Day One speaking slot due to Vice President Kashim Shettima representing the country instead of President Tinubu.

“This posed a bit of a challenge for Nigerian diplomats at the United Nations,” Akande explained. “The concern was that since the Vice President represented Nigeria, the protocol would push Nigeria down the speaking order, as heads of state would be given precedence.”

The Day One speaking slot is important because it allows countries to present their priorities early, drawing world leaders’ attention and international media’s attention. Losing this spot could have been a diplomatic setback for Nigeria.

However, Nigerian diplomats at the Permanent Mission to the UN worked behind the scenes to maintain Nigeria’s speaking position. Akande praised these diplomats’ competence and quick thinking, who utilized their networks, knowledge of UN procedures, and negotiation skills to ensure Nigeria retained its critical Day One slot.

“These are career diplomats that got this done,” Akande said, emphasizing their strategic efforts. He added that this success might encourage President Tinubu to appoint more career diplomats to ambassadorial positions globally.

Akande highlighted the importance of experienced diplomats in managing complex international situations. He suggested that the administration consider increasing the number of career diplomats in key roles to ensure Nigeria’s interests remain expertly represented on the world stage. Vice President Shettima’s eventual address to the UNGA reflected the weight of these diplomatic efforts, allowing Nigeria to retain its visibility and influence in global discussions.