Isola, Nigerian ambassador, one of the most active diplomatic envoys in UK, says Chatham House director

Alex Vines, director of Africa programme at Chatham House, has described Sarafa Isola, Nigeria’s high commissioner to the UK, as one of the most active diplomats in the country. 

Speaking in an interview with African Voice, Vines said Isola has elevated the reputation of Nigeria’s high commission in the United Kingdom, including strengthening the bilateral relations with Britain.

“Over the last two years, H.E Sarafa Isola has enhanced Nigeria’s high commission profile across the UK. From engagement with the diaspora to encouraging the restitution of cultural goods and deepening bilateral relations with Britain. H.E Sarafa is one of the most active diplomatic envoys accredited to the Court of St James’s,” Vines was quoted as saying.

Isola was appointed as Nigerian high commissioner to the UK by former President Muhammadu Buhari in January 2021. He was the secretary to the Ogun state government from 2003 to 2007. He also served as the minister of mines and steel development from 2007 to 2008.

In 2021, TheCable reported how Isola wrote to The Economist to complain about an article published by the medium on the security challenges in Nigeria.

The Economist had criticised the federal government’s approach to insecurity, stating that “when violence erupts, the government does nothing or cracks heads almost indiscriminately”.

The article also described the Nigerian army as “mighty on paper”, and whose personnel are “ghosts who exist only on the payroll, and much of its equipment is stolen and sold to insurgents”.

The envoy said while the London-based newspaper is correct to highlight the country’s security challenges, the picture presented to its readers is “unfair and selective”.

“The Economist is correct to point out the multiple security and governance challenges that Nigeria presently faces. But the picture that you present is selective and unfair to your readers,” Isola said.