The Association of Retired Career Ambassadors of Nigeria will host its 2025 awards ceremony on Saturday, April 18, 2026. The event will be held simultaneously at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Abuja and the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs in Lagos, reflecting the national scope and diplomatic significance of the occasion.

The awards ceremony, organised yearly by the association, seeks to recognise the enduring contributions of Nigeria’s retired career diplomats whose service helped shape the country’s foreign policy direction over the years.

This year, the association will honour 18 former ambassadors, several of whom will be recognised posthumously, in acknowledgement of their commitment to advancing Nigeria’s diplomatic interests and strengthening its presence on the global stage.

According to the organisers, the awards are intended not only to celebrate individual excellence, but also to preserve the legacy of professionalism and dedication associated with Nigeria’s diplomatic corps. The recognition of past envoys is seen as a reaffirmation of the values that have guided the nation’s foreign engagements since independence.

The 2025 edition of the awards also carries added historical significance with the introduction of a special category dedicated to notable African leaders whose efforts contributed to the establishment of the Economic Community of West African States. The regional body, which is marking its 51st anniversary this year, remains one of Africa’s most enduring frameworks for economic integration and political cooperation.

Established six years ago, the ARCAN awards have become a notable feature within Nigeria’s diplomatic community. They serve as a platform for acknowledging the professionalism, discipline, and lifelong commitment demonstrated by career ambassadors who represented the country in various capacities across the world.

Under this special category, three prominent figures will be recognised for their roles in the founding of the regional bloc. They are General Yakubu Gowon, Nigeria’s former Head of State who served from 1966 to 1975; the late President Gnassingbé Eyadéma of Togo, who led his country from 1967 to 2005, and Professor Adebayo Adedeji, a former Nigerian minister and distinguished international civil servant who served as Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa.

The association noted that the recognition of these leaders forms part of its broader commemoration of the golden jubilee of the regional organisation, with activities scheduled to conclude later in May. By highlighting the contributions of the founding figures, the association aims to draw attention to the vision and cooperation that underpinned the creation of the regional body and its continued relevance in addressing contemporary challenges in West Africa.