Samuel Omang
President Bola Tinubu is preparing to finalise the list of Nigeria’s new ambassadors, bringing an end to months of vacancies at the country’s foreign missions amid rising diplomatic concerns, particularly with the United States.
Multiple presidential sources confirmed that the long-awaited ambassadorial list is undergoing a final review after changes became necessary due to deaths, retirements, and withdrawals among earlier nominees.
“It is almost concluded,” a senior Presidency official disclosed. “Some nominees on the previous list have died, some retired, and others are no longer eligible. The list is being cleaned up before release.”
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According to insiders, the Senate had earlier screened a draft list, but the Presidency opted to re-verify names to ensure that only qualified nominees remain. Many of the original nominees have been cleared by security agencies, but officials say updates were unavoidable.
The development follows Tinubu’s recall of all envoys in September 2023 as part of a diplomatic overhaul. Since then, most Nigerian missions abroad have been run by chargés d’affaires, who typically hold limited authority in formal diplomatic engagements.
A senior foreign affairs source acknowledged that the absence of ambassadors has weakened Nigeria’s diplomatic visibility.
“Foreign governments relate more effectively with ambassadors,” the official said. “In moments of tension or negotiation, their presence matters.”
The renewed urgency comes in the wake of controversial remarks by former U.S. President Donald Trump, who recently threatened possible military intervention over alleged persecution of Christians in Nigeria — remarks that triggered diplomatic unease.
While officials insist the delay in ambassadorial postings did not directly cause the tensions, many believe full-rank envoys could have helped manage communication more effectively.
Foreign Affairs Minister Yusuf Tuggar is expected to brief Tinubu on the appointments this week, with insiders suggesting an official announcement could follow soon.
The delay in confirming ambassadors had previously been linked to budgetary challenges. Government sources revealed earlier this year that over $1bn would be required to settle arrears and revive struggling missions, including renovations and operational costs.
Tinubu has also publicly admitted the political complexity of ambassadorial appointments.
“It’s not easy stitching those names,” he told a visiting delegation in September. “There are still people waiting for those slots.”
With the final vetting reportedly near completion, Nigerians may soon see the restoration of full diplomatic capacity at missions worldwide — a step many diplomats say is overdue.