In a surprising turn of events, the government of Qatar has reversed its initial decision and accepted the visitation request of Nigerian President Bola Tinubu for a business and investment meeting.
This about-face comes after an earlier rejection communicated to Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on February 22, citing a lack of a legally binding agreement for investment promotion and conflicting engagements by the Qatari Ministry of Commerce.
The initial rejection, delivered via a letter from Qatari authorities, raised eyebrows and drew criticism, both domestically and internationally, for its perceived disrespect towards Nigeria as a sovereign nation. However, in a subsequent letter dated February 23, 2024, the Qatari government extended an invitation to President Tinubu, indicating a willingness to host the proposed business and investment forum on March 3, a day later than originally planned.
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The letter read, “The Embassy of the State of Qatar in Abuja presents its compliments to the Protocol Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“Regarding the upcoming State visit of H.E. Bola Ahmed Tinubu, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to Qatar from 2nd-3rd March 2024 and with reference to our Note: Ref: QEA\FA\057\24 dated 22/02/2024 regarding holding of a Business and Investment Forum (BIF) on the margins of Mr. President’s visit to Qatar on 2nd March 2024.
“The Embassy has the honor to convey that the Qatar Chamber of Commerce will host the above-mentioned event on 3rd March 2024, as proposed by the Nigerian side.
“The Embassy of the State of Qatar in Abuja presents its compliments to the Protocol Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
This reversal comes as a relief to Nigerian officials and stakeholders who had expressed disappointment and frustration over the initial rejection.
Reacting to the development, Nigeria’s former Minister of Information Frank Nweke Jr. Has described the initial correspondence as “embarrassing” and “an insult” to the nation.
In a statement titled ‘The Qatari Note Verbale: Nigeria’s latest Diplomatic Debacle’, the former Enugu State governorship aspirant said the development does not only tarnish Nigeria’s image but also erode confidence in our diplomatic engagements.
“As a Nigerian, I find the correspondence between the embassy of Qatar in Nigeria and Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs currently circulating online, embarrassing. It is an insult to our nation,” Nweke expressed in his statement.
Nweke’s sentiments reflect broader concerns about the manner in which diplomatic communications were handled between the two nations. He called for an investigation into the leak of the correspondence and urged authorities to take measures to prevent such incidents from recurring.
“While the specifics surrounding this diplomatic episode may remain unclear, the tone and language used in the circulated document are undeniably disrespectful and undermine Nigeria’s image,” Nweke stated. “Such incidents, in addition to previous instances, tarnish our country’s reputation and erode confidence in our diplomatic engagements.”
Furthermore, Nweke emphasized the importance of meticulous planning and clear communication in high-level diplomatic engagements, particularly state visits involving heads of state. He noted the need for detailed agenda-setting and coordination to ensure the success of such visits and optimize outcomes for Nigeria’s national interests.
“The reason and basis for President Tinubu’s visit to Qatar must be clear and unambiguous,” Nweke asserted. “Detailed planning and coordination are essential to maximize the benefits of such visits and advance Nigeria’s economic, diplomatic, and strategic objectives.”
Nweke’s statement reflects broader sentiments within Nigeria’s diplomatic and policy circles, where there is a growing emphasis on the need for professionalism, strategic foresight, and effective communication in managing the country’s international relations.
While the diplomatic episode serves as a reminder of the importance of diplomacy in advancing national interests and maintaining Nigeria’s standing on the global stage, the rescheduled visit has birthed high expectations. Tinubu’s visit to Qatar is expected to yield meaningful discussions and concrete outcomes that will contribute to Nigeria’s economic growth and bilateral relations with Qatar.
Read his full statement:
“As a Nigerian, I find the correspondence between the embassy of Qatar in Nigeria and Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs currently circulating online, embarrassing. It is an insult to our nation.
“Relevant authorities should investigate the source and intent of this leak and take steps to ensure that it does not happen again.
“There is no contesting that our government has a responsibility to manage our national affairs with savvy, reflecting deep knowledge and understanding of diplomatic protocols and norms, it is however impolitic for any nation to disrespect a purportedly ‘friendly’ nation through its communication, or any other channel for that matter, in the way that Qatar has done, however muted the attempt.
“I call on Nigerians who think that this act of ridicule against our nation is justified and worthy of celebration to have a rethink. It is not. It is indeed very disrespectful to our nation and people.”
“Being outside the government, we may never know the full facts, but the tone and use of language in the circulating document, however factual, is most discourteous and calculated to undermine Nigeria’s image.
“Every part of our government is important for the efficient functioning of the whole, however our Ministry of Foreign Affairs like that of other countries is a critical Ministry, especially because it is front-facing, with the responsibility to shape and lead our engagement with the world.
“Nations use their Foreign Service Ministry to project hard and soft power, economic development, their people and their cultures. It is for this reason that most nations make significant investments and spare no expense in training members of their diplomatic service.
“Once upon a time, the Nigerian nation and her diplomats were highly revered in the world for the quality of their minds and overall impact of Nigeria’s foreign policy in global affairs.
“Their well-informed policy thrusts were the basis of Nigeria’s successes at various times in the past in South Africa, Mozambique, Sudan, Ethiopia, Angola, Zimbabwe, Congo, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Côte d’Ivoire, Togo, Burkina Faso and São Tomé and Principe to name a few; and in many peace negotiations and peacekeeping efforts around the world.
“The Foreign Service Academy and the Nigeria Institute for International Affairs, and similar elite institutions abroad, were created to meet the training needs of our diplomats and also carry on research on contemporary issues in Africa and the world.
“It was the outcome of various research and the thought leadership provided by leading diplomats and scholars in these institutions that underpinned Nigeria’s foreign policy which though focused on Africa helped Nigeria project considerable power in global affairs.
“This Note Verbale incident, in addition to a series of others before now which portray our country in poor light, is one too many. There is a saying in my Igbo dialect which translates to ‘If an old woman falls more than once, it is usually advised to count the number of items in the basket she is carrying on her head’.
“High level engagements between Nigeria’s Sovereign and others are so important that there should be absolutely no room for errors.”
“The agenda must be agreed and finalized, usually after extensive consultations between officials of both countries. Unless there is a crisis, requiring urgent meetings, State visits are not vacations.
“They are sometimes planned years in advance and governments must prepare to make the best of the visit to enhance trade, bilateral and other relations in education, culture, science and technology, depending on a country’s interests. The nature of the meeting will also determine the composition and membership of the delegation.
“An important role for Nigeria’s representatives in potential host countries is a keen understanding of the cultural norms and gestures with detailed briefing provided to guide Mr President. That is how detailed the planning must be.
“Communication of the intent, purpose, resolutions and outcomes of a visit or meeting is critical; it must be factual and verifiable at every stage, issued at the appropriate level, only, by an authorized official.
“It is not the duty of your host to make your country look good by keeping mute, if out of excitement, inexperience or incompetence your officials mis-state resolutions reached at meetings.
“Competent officials of host countries are accountable to their principals and citizens and will issue their own statements based on their own understanding of what transpired at a meeting between two or more sovereigns. This was the case when President Tinubu visited the United Arab Emirates some months ago.
“Such slips, however freudian, have the potential to undermine otherwise important gains from high level meetings and engender a crisis of confidence.
“With the state of our economy and the considerable security challenges Nigeria is faced with at this time, every trip outside the country must be one that will bring obvious benefits to our troubled economy.
“The offensive note verbale from the Qataris is tantamount to someone accepting your request to visit his or her home while telling you at the same time that they won’t be home.
“If the Qatari Minister for Trade and indeed the Qatari business community and economic actors will otherwise be engaged with others on matters of similar interest to ours at the time of Mr President’s visit and communicate in the way that they have done, that in itself is a strong message of Nigeria’s standing with the government and people of Qatar. Actions are also important tools of diplomacy.
“I anticipate a serious review of this situation by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, and his offer of dispassionate advice to Mr President to postpone this visit to enable proper planning in order for Nigeria to obtain the best outcomes from the visit, at a future date.
“I must however call on our government to get its acts together. The discourtesy and disrespect to our government and citizens around the world is on account of the perception of our country at this time, as weak, disorganized and corrupt.
“Respect can neither be conjured nor decreed. It can only be earned, especially in the international arena through hard work – good governance at home, a strong economy and people centered development, a secure and stable polity, respect for human rights and the rule of law, a manifest abhorrence for corruption and consistent respect for international laws and fulfillment of legitimate international obligations.
“As we secure our country and rebuild our economy, perception of Nigeria’s circumstances will change based on reality, countries will naturally become more circumspect in their engagement with our government and respect for our passport and our people will grow.”