The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) have resolved to strengthen institutional collaboration aimed at addressing the growing incidence of abuse, falsification, impersonation, illegal possession, and misuse of diplomatic and official number plates across the country.
The resolution was reached when the Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa paid a courtesy visit on the Spokesperson of the FRSC, Deputy Corps Commander, Osondu Ohaeri who doubles as the Corps Public Education Officer at the National Headquarters in Abuja on Monday 15, June 2026 to congratulate him on his appointment.
To address these challenges, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Federal Road Safety Corps agreed to deepen information sharing, strengthen verification procedures relating to diplomatic vehicles and diplomatic accreditation, and establish a more robust framework for monitoring and regulating the issuance and use of diplomatic number plates.
Mr Ebienfa also met with Assistant Corps Marshal, Olusegun Ogungbemide, the Assistant Corps Marshal Operations to discuss collaboration between the Ministry and the FRSC. The meeting reviewed emerging security concerns associated with the proliferation of fake diplomatic number plates and other official vehicle identification documents.
In his remarks, Mr Ebienfa informed that the Ministry was currently campaigning against the illegal use of Ambassadorial titles by unauthorised persons and some of such persons also use fake diplomatic passports and vehicle number plates.
The Assistant Corps Marshal Operations highlighted recent nationwide enforcement operations undertaken to identify and confiscate illegally obtained diplomatic, official, and government number plates from circulation. The operations, conducted in several states of the Federation, resulted in the interception of one thousand vehicles found to be using fake diplomatic plates, unauthorised government plates, cloned registration documents, and other forms of vehicle identification obtained through fraudulent means.
To address the worrisome development, the two institutions expressed concern that the misuse of diplomatic number plates not only undermines the integrity of Nigeria’s diplomatic privileges and immunities regime but also constitutes a significant national security threat capable of facilitating criminal activities, identity concealment, and other unlawful acts.
Both agencies agreed that such practices tarnish Nigeria’s international image and undermine established diplomatic norms.
The two institutions also agreed to explore the establishment of improved verification mechanisms linking diplomatic accreditation records with vehicle registration databases to facilitate real-time authentication of diplomatic vehicles and prevent unauthorized use of diplomatic identities and privileges.
The Ministry welcomed the proactive efforts of the FRSC in uncovering cases of abuse and reaffirmed its commitment to working closely with the Corps and other relevant security and law enforcement agencies to safeguard the integrity of Nigeria’s diplomatic system and uphold international best practices.
Diplomatic number plates remain the exclusive property of accredited diplomatic missions, international organisations, and duly recognised diplomatic personnel operating within the framework of international diplomatic practice.
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