Akpabio Explains How Ita Enang Became Nigeria’s Ambassador to Germany

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has publicly explained how Ita Enang became Nigeria’s Ambassador to Germany. He said Enang kept criticising Akwa Ibom Governor Umo Eno until Akpabio offered him a role. Akpabio made the remarks before an audience that included Governor Eno, and the story quickly spread online.

According to Premium Times, which reviewed a video of the event, Akpabio first phoned Enang. He asked him to stop abusing Pastor Umo Eno, whom he described as God’s gift to the state. Enang reportedly refused to stop without a job. “Until you give me something to do, I will not stop,” Akpabio quoted him as saying. Consequently, Akpabio said, “I decided to send him as ambassador to Germany.”

Akpabio then introduced Enang to the audience and welcomed him as Nigeria’s ambassador to Germany. Enang stood, smiled, and waved. Premium Times said he apparently acknowledged both the introduction and the Senate president’s remarks.

Next, Akpabio turned to Governor Eno with an offer. If anyone else troubles the governor, he said, Eno should “give me the assignment.” Akpabio promised to give such a person something to do, so that the critic would stop talking to the governor.

Enang brings a long political record to the post. He served as a senator and later worked as Senior Special Adviser on National Assembly Matters to former President Muhammadu Buhari. In 2022, he resigned as presidential adviser and declared interest in the Akwa Ibom governorship. Meanwhile, his current appointment follows a formal process.

President Bola Tinubu sent a list of 65 ambassadorial nominees to the Senate in December 2025. The list included 34 career diplomats and 31 non-career nominees, and Enang appeared among the non-career names for Akwa Ibom. Akpabio read the request during plenary. He then referred it to the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs and asked members to screen the nominees quickly. Therefore, the Senate played a clear role in the process, even as Akpabio now describes his own part in it.

Legit.ng reported that Akpabio recounted a private phone call between the two men. The outlet also noted that the story drew strong reactions from Nigerians. Many commentators focused on the comment that a critic needed “something to do” before agreeing to stop. Others, however, treated the remarks as a candid account of how political accommodation works in Nigeria.

The reports reviewed by Sojworldnews contain no response from Enang, Governor Eno, or the presidency. Likewise, they do not say when the phone call took place. Additionally, the nomination list shows only that Tinubu nominated Enang. It does not show whose recommendation led to the choice.

Ultimately, the episode raises a broader question about how Nigerian political appointments are made. Supporters may see an experienced politician rewarded with a diplomatic role. Critics, in contrast, may question whether appointments should follow public disputes. For now, Akpabio’s account stands as his own description of events. Sojworldnews will update this story if Enang or the presidency responds.