“Why I Stayed in a Spanish Hotel for One Year as Ambassador” – Bianca Ojukwu

Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, one of the nominees for ministerial positions currently undergoing screening in the Nigerian Senate, has shared her experience of living in a hotel for an entire year during her tenure as Nigeria’s ambassador to Spain.

Following the death of her husband, Bianca was first appointed as ambassador to Ghana by former President Goodluck Jonathan, before being assigned to Spain. In her testimony during the Senate screening on October 30, 2024, Ojukwu explained her decision to reside in a hotel instead of the Nigerian embassy in Madrid.

“The condition of the mission building was appalling,” she stated. “I spent an entire year in one hotel room because I felt it was necessary to represent Nigeria properly.”

Ojukwu highlighted the embassy’s location near the upscale Galagao estate, emphasizing her concern that the dilapidated structure failed to reflect Nigeria’s dignity in such a prestigious area. “It was disheartening that this decadent structure represented Nigeria in such a prominent neighborhood,” she said.

She also noted that the current state of the Nigerian embassy in Madrid is a testament to her efforts during her time in Spain. Last week, President Bola Tinubu nominated Ojukwu for the position of Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, pending Senate confirmation.