President Bola Tinubu has transmitted the first batch of ambassadorial nominees to the Senate for screening and confirmation, taking a major step toward filling Nigeria’s long-vacant diplomatic positions more than two years into his administration.
The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, announced the development during plenary on Wednesday, November 26, while reading the president’s letter on the floor of the Senate. The proceedings were broadcast on the National Assembly’s official YouTube channel.
According to Akpabio, the initial list contains three nominees, with more expected to follow.
“The list contains three names for now. I am sure others will follow,” he said.
The nominees are Kayode Are from Ogun State, Aminu Dalhatu from Jigawa State, and Ayodele Oke. Their names have been referred to the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs for screening and confirmation in line with constitutional requirements.
Nigeria has operated without substantive ambassadors since 2023, with most foreign missions led by charges d’affaires. The prolonged vacancies had drawn criticism from diplomatic and policy stakeholders, who warned that it weakened Nigeria’s international engagement and visibility.
Although Tinubu’s letter did not specify the diplomatic postings for the nominees, earlier statements from the Presidency indicated that the administration plans to restructure Nigeria’s foreign missions as part of broader reforms in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The Senate is expected to announce dates for the screening exercise in the coming days.