Omonu YG Nelson
Abuja, Nigeria – November 28, 2023 – The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, Ph.D., has announced plans to meet with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Yusuf Tuggar, to discuss the absence of a Nigerian diplomatic mission in Iraq.
Speaker Abbas’s decision follows a courtesy call from the Iraqi Ambassador to Nigeria, Amb. Anwer Saeed Aljabali, who raised concerns about the lack of Nigerian representation in Iraq.
“I was surprised to learn that Nigeria does not currently have a mission in Iraq,” Speaker Abbas stated. “This is a significant oversight, as Iraq is an important country in the comity of nations. We must make every effort to re-establish the Nigerian mission in Baghdad.”
Amb. Aljabali highlighted the difficulties faced by Nigerians living in Iraq due to the absence of a diplomatic mission. “Our citizens have to travel to neighboring countries like Oman to receive consular assistance,” he explained. “This is unacceptable, and we must work together to find a solution.”
Speaker Abbas expressed his commitment to addressing the issue. “I will meet with the Minister of Foreign Affairs to explore all possible avenues for reopening the Nigerian mission in Iraq,” he affirmed.
In addition to addressing the mission’s closure, Speaker Abbas also announced the establishment of a Parliamentary Friendship Group between the Nigerian and Iraqi parliaments. “This group will foster stronger ties between our two legislatures and promote cooperation on issues of mutual interest,” he stated.
The Iraqi Ambassador welcomed the creation of the Parliamentary Friendship Group, expressing his belief that it would enhance bilateral relations between the two nations.