Daniel Otera
As of October 2025, Nigeria’s diplomatic outposts across the globe continue to operate without appointed ambassadors, an unprecedented situation that has persisted for over two years under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration. With 109 diplomatic missions at stake, including 76 embassies, 22 high commissions, and 11 consulates, the absence of confirmed ambassadors has left Nigeria’s foreign missions exposed, undermining the country’s ability to engage in crucial sectors such as trade, security, and international partnerships.
Upon assuming office on May 29, 2023, President Tinubu made an unprecedented move in September 2023 by recalling all Nigerian envoys from their posts globally. This step, typically taken in alignment with a change in government, was aimed at appointing fresh leadership to align with the administration’s priorities. However, by October 2025, no new ambassadors had been appointed or confirmed by the Nigerian Senate, leaving many key diplomatic positions vacant and understaffed with acting envoys.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, responsible for overseeing Nigeria’s global diplomatic network, has been under strain due to the over 100 vacancies in ambassadorial positions. Despite these challenges, the absence of confirmed leadership has yet to fully disrupt mission operations, with interim diplomats, such as charge d’affaires, temporarily stepping into the void.
This delay in filling ambassadorial roles marks a departure from traditional norms in Nigerian governance. Previous administrations have typically filled ambassadorial vacancies much sooner.
Data from the National Assembly shows that no administration in Nigeria’s post-democratic history has taken longer than 24 months without making at least partial ambassadorial appointments. The protracted delay under President Tinubu has drawn significant scrutiny, with the lack of ambassadors leading to a growing vacuum in Nigeria’s diplomatic representation worldwide.
Explaining the delay, President Tinubu, in a September 2025 address, acknowledged the challenges in compiling a comprehensive ambassadorial list. He noted that the process was complicated by competing national priorities and the difficulty in satisfying the numerous interests vying for diplomatic roles. According to the president, the government was focused on stabilizing the economy and restoring hope to the people goals he believed were essential to underpin his administration’s efforts.
The financial constraints surrounding the appointment of ambassadors have also been a significant factor. Minister of Foreign Affairs Yusuf Tuggar cited budgetary limitations as a major impediment. In a Senate budget defense in 2024, Tuggar revealed that Nigeria’s foreign missions abroad were burdened with over N10 billion in inherited debts, which the government cleared by May 2025. However, despite a budget increase for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 2025 from N302.4 billion to N353.77 billion, only a fraction approximately 15% was allocated to the operations of Nigerian missions abroad.
The absence of appointed ambassadors has had far-reaching consequences for Nigeria’s ability to engage effectively on the global stage. Since the recall of all foreign mission envoys in September 2023, the country has been without a permanent diplomatic presence at many key international bodies. The absence has weakened Nigeria’s position in crucial areas such as national security, economic cooperation, and regional influence.
Nigeria’s diminished voice in international forums, such as the United Nations, has had a notable impact. In 2024, Nigeria missed critical votes on West African security resolutions at the United Nations discussions that could have shaped key decisions on peace and stability in the region. Without permanent diplomatic leadership, Nigeria’s influence has been significantly diminished, particularly as the country holds a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council until 2026.
Furthermore, Nigeria’s position within the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has been strained. The absence of key ambassadors has limited Nigeria’s capacity to lead and collaborate on regional issues, particularly in addressing the political crises in Niger and Mali. Without strong diplomatic leadership, the country was unable to take the lead on sanctioning the juntas in these nations, thereby diminishing its influence on regional security.
The diplomatic void has also had significant economic repercussions. Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) into Nigeria experienced a sharp decline, dropping by 70% in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the previous quarter. This decline is partly attributed to the lack of coordinated promotional efforts abroad, as well as the absence of ambassadors to promote Nigeria’s economic interests. Similarly, Nigeria’s non-oil exports saw a decline of 8.5% in 2024, despite the administration’s efforts to diversify its export base.
In the 2024 budget, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs allocated ₦198.3 billion ($198.3 million) for the operations of foreign missions. However, without permanent ambassadors to coordinate these operations, Nigerian missions abroad have faced significant inefficiencies. Reports indicate that over ₦14 billion was spent on just 16 foreign missions in July 2024 alone, despite the absence of key diplomatic personnel.
In March 2025, the Nigerian government began vetting candidates for more than 100 diplomatic positions, with appointments expected to follow shortly after the allocation of funds. However, as of August 2025, the appointment process remained ongoing, and the absence of ambassadors continues to disrupt diplomatic engagements.
In response to these challenges, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs launched recruitment drives in April 2025 to bolster staffing across Nigeria’s diplomatic missions. However, despite these efforts, the gap in leadership remains unresolved, leaving Nigeria’s foreign service in a state of frustration and stagnation.
As Nigeria navigates a rapidly changing global landscape, it faces challenges ranging from shifting alliances—such as its recent bid for BRICS membership—to active participation in climate finance discussions at COP30. One of the most pressing governance challenges remains the prolonged ambassadorial vacancy in Nigeria’s diplomatic missions abroad, which has persisted for over a year. The absence of confirmed ambassadors underscores the government’s difficulties in maintaining a consistent foreign policy presence, leaving missions operating under interim leadership with limited authority.
Until these positions are confirmed, Nigeria’s global influence will continue to be hindered by this governance vacuum, affecting its ability to engage effectively in international dialogues on issues such as climate change, economic partnerships, and regional security.
Perhaps when President Tinubu eventually appoints substantive ambassadors, his frequent foreign trips will be reduced to the barest minimum, allowing him to focus more on pressing domestic concerns — particularly insecurity and the struggling economy that continue to weigh heavily on Nigerians.