Misused diplomatic terms aren’t just grammar mistakes — they can confuse the public and irritate other nations, Nigeria’s foreign affairs aide has warned.
Speaking at the National Defence College in Abuja, Amb. Sola Enikanolaiye, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Affairs, said sloppy use of diplomatic language in public discussions and media reports often misrepresents Nigeria’s foreign policy and global conduct.
“Diplomacy runs on precision and protocol,” he stressed, noting that ignoring accepted practices can cause avoidable diplomatic friction. He explained key distinctions often misunderstood — an embassy is the mission, not the building (that’s the chancery); High Commissions operate among Commonwealth nations; and Ambassadors Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary carry full authority of the Head of State.
Enikanolaiye called for better public education on diplomacy, saying the right language boosts national prestige, governance, and smoother international relations.
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