President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is poised to send the names of Nigeria’s ambassadorial nominees to the Senate for screening and confirmation. This move comes as the country faces criticism over a prolonged diplomatic void caused by the recall of 83 ambassadors in September 2023.
These appointees are expected to represent Nigeria in embassies, high commissions, and consulates worldwide.
According to government insiders who spoke with PUNCH, the list is set to be transmitted in early December.
While some nominees are career diplomats who have advanced through the Foreign Service, others are political appointees selected by the President. Sources say the final list will undergo a thorough process before submission to the National Assembly.
This development follows Tinubu’s reassessment of Nigeria’s foreign policy after taking office in May 2023. His decision to recall the ambassadors left many missions without high-level representation for over a year.
While consuls-general and chargés d’affaires have handled administrative tasks in the interim, they lack the authority to engage in critical negotiations or interact with heads of state.
Foreign Minister Yusuf Tuggar confirmed in March 2024 that the names of prospective diplomats had been submitted to the President. However, challenges, including budget constraints, delayed the process.
The urgency to appoint ambassadors is growing as Nigeria’s absence from major international discussions could affect its global influence. Concerns have also been raised about how host nations perceive the delays, with some viewing it as a sign of instability.
Insiders who spoke with PUNCH explained, “This is the last week of November. Within the first week of December, it should be out. It’s long overdue. What happens is that the Senate will screen those appointed.
“There’s usually an agreement; it’s like one president writing to another president informing them that ‘I am sending such and such a person as my principal representative to your country.’
“The other country will write back saying they have accepted such a person. That ambassador will now take a letter of credence to the host president.
“Once a foreign government receives an agreement, it does serious background checks on the persons nominated for ambassadorial roles to know the person’s standing and to ensure that they don’t have inimical intentions for the country. But we haven’t gotten to that stage yet.
“Those nominated have to be announced first. When they are announced, it will take a minimum of three months and a maximum of six months for them to begin their tour of duty.
“This depends on the country. For instance, if Nigeria wants to send an ambassador to the Niger Republic, given the current state of the relationship, Niger would understandably take its time to run this check.”
Another official told The PUNCH that expectations were high due to the months-long lag, and concerns continued to grow as the country’s foreign missions were left without top ambassadors to fill the vacuum.
“It has been a long coming. Many decisions are on hold because our missions and embassies are still expecting new diplomats. Major meetings are happening around the world without us because we have no representation at such levels.
“The President cannot be everywhere at the same time. The minister of foreign affairs cannot do everything by himself,” the official said, preferring to stay anonymous as he was not authorised to speak to the press.
