Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, during her recent Senate screening, opened up about her challenging experience while serving as Nigeria’s ambassador to Spain. Her candid revelations shed light on the less glamorous aspects of diplomatic assignments and her efforts to elevate Nigeria's image abroad.
The ministerial nominee, who was put forward by President Bola Tinubu for the role of Minister of State, Foreign Affairs, recalled that she was compelled to live in a hotel room for a full year. This was due to the appalling state of the Nigerian embassy in Madrid, which was so dilapidated that it was unsuitable for both her residence and office operations.
In her testimony, Bianca reflected on how the condition of the embassy was inconsistent with the dignity and global image of Nigeria, noting that the state of disrepair was especially embarrassing due to the building’s prominent location. She explained, “I would like to say that my past records speak for me. As an ambassador to the Kingdom of Spain, I spent an entire year in one hotel room because when I got to Spain, the mission building was in such an appalling condition.”
Bianca highlighted the embassy's location near the prestigious Galagao estate, an upscale area where the dilapidated Nigerian embassy stood out unfavorably among nearby structures. She described the embarrassment she felt as the deteriorating building became a visible marker of Nigeria's presence, affecting her daily work and interactions.
Determined to rectify this image, she spearheaded a comprehensive refurbishment project aimed at restoring the embassy to a standard worthy of representing Nigeria. “The Nigerian embassy in Madrid that you see today is the product of my time in that country,” she noted, pointing to her commitment to presenting an image of Nigeria that “truly deserves a designation of outstanding.”
Bianca also emphasized the funding challenges that embassies often face, which can prevent ambassadors from undertaking much-needed repairs or upgrades. She mentioned, “In most missions, because of limited funding, most ambassadors are constrained when it comes to carrying out refurbishments.”
This shortage of funds, she added, has broad implications for Nigeria’s diplomatic stature worldwide, as it prevents embassies from fully showcasing Nigeria’s dignity on the international stage. “It is unfortunate because a lot of embassies are going through this situation, and it has, to a large extent, diminished our standing around the world,” she said, urging consideration of this issue in future government planning for foreign missions.
After sharing her experiences and insights, Bianca was met with respect and appreciation by the Senate committee members and was subsequently asked to take a bow and go, a traditional sign of approval and esteem for nominees during screening.