Agbonayinma Urges Strategic Diplomacy to Counter Genocide Claims, Protect Nigeria’s Global Image

Federal Commissioner of the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), Hon. Ehiozuwa Agbonayinma, has called for a more strategic and coordinated diplomatic response to allegations of genocide against Nigeria, warning that failure to address such narratives could harm the nation’s reputation and foreign relations.
Speaking on TVC’s This Morning programme, Agbonayinma urged the Federal Government to take proactive steps to engage with members of the United States Congress and other global institutions where what he described as “one-sided and misleading” accounts of Nigeria’s internal security challenges are being promoted.
“The Federal Government must not allow false narratives to define our image internationally,” he said. “We need strong diplomatic engagement and consistent communication to set the record straight.”
Agbonayinma condemned attempts to portray Nigeria as complicit in genocide, stressing that the country’s security challenges cut across ethnic and religious lines.
“There is no government-sponsored genocide in Nigeria. Both Christians and Muslims have suffered painful losses in the ongoing crises,” he noted. “It is wrong and dangerous to present this as a religious war.”
The CCB Commissioner lamented what he called a diplomatic vacuum in Nigeria’s foreign engagement, particularly in Washington D.C., which he said has allowed misinformation to thrive unchecked.
“When a senior U.S. lawmaker asks whether Nigeria even has an ambassador in Washington, it shows how much ground we’ve lost diplomatically,” he said. “We cannot leave our narrative in the hands of others.”
Agbonayinma recalled his past work with American lawmakers to develop a Nigeria–U.S. Congressional Agenda, a framework aimed at deepening bilateral cooperation in security, education, and governance. He said the initiative was approved by the U.S. Congress but was never fully implemented.
“That agenda was designed to strengthen understanding between both countries,” he said. “But we didn’t follow it through. Now, others are speaking for us.”
He urged the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Nigerian missions abroad to rebuild robust diplomatic relationships and intensify advocacy within international policy circles.
Agbonayinma also emphasized national unity, warning against divisive religious rhetoric.
“Every life lost is a tragedy — Christian or Muslim, rich or poor,” he said. “We must stand together as one people. No foreign interest should divide us.”
He further called on CAN, PFN, and Islamic leaders to present a united front in condemning violence and promoting interfaith peace.
“If Nigeria fails, everyone pays the price,” he cautioned.
Agbonayinma concluded by urging the government to combine strategic diplomacy, domestic unity, and transparent communication to safeguard Nigeria’s integrity on the global stage.
“We must reclaim our story,” he said. “Silence allows falsehood to thrive. It’s time to engage, explain, and defend Nigeria with facts and diplomacy.”