Former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Chief OCJ Okocha, has weighed in on Nigeria’s ambassadorial screening process, offering pointed insights into the now-famous “take a bow and go” exercise that routinely defines the Senate’s treatment of ambassadorial nominees.
Okocha made the remarks during an interview on Symfoni TV, where he reflected on power, public service, and the culture surrounding ambassadorial nominations and confirmations in Nigeria.
Drawing from decades of experience in public institutions, Okocha noted that the ‘take a bow and go’ practice has become a symbol of how ambassadorial nominees—many of them former governors, ministers, legislators, and political heavyweights—are often cleared without rigorous public scrutiny.
While acknowledging that many nominees possess strong credentials, he suggested that the exercise reflects Nigeria’s broader political culture, where past office and political stature frequently substitute for detailed engagement on policy vision, diplomatic capacity, or national interest.
Okocha stressed that representation abroad requires more than titles. According to him, ambassadors must carry intellectual depth, moral authority, and a clear understanding of Nigeria’s interests, regardless of their political pedigree.
He used his own career to underscore the importance of substance over status, noting that despite holding top legal offices—including Chairman of the Body of Benchers and Chairman of the Council of Legal Education—he remains actively engaged in everyday legal practice.
“I am practising law,” he said. “I am doing charge and bail business in Port Harcourt.”
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The remark, he explained, was intended to challenge the notion that service or relevance ends with high office. In the same vein, he argued that ambassadorial appointments should not be treated as ceremonial rewards but as serious national assignments.
Okocha’s comments add to ongoing public debate about the credibility and transparency of Nigeria’s ambassadorial screening process, especially amid growing concern about accountability, merit, and diplomatic effectiveness.
