President Bola Tinubu is set to forward a list of ambassadorial nominees to the Senate for screening and confirmation in early December, sources close to the development have revealed. This step comes more than a year after 83 ambassadors were recalled in September 2023, leaving Nigeria’s foreign missions without substantive leadership for 14 months.
The anticipated list will include both career and political diplomats designated to represent Nigeria across its 109 global missions, comprising 76 embassies, 22 high commissions, and 11 consulates. This move is expected to address the leadership vacuum that has hampered Nigeria’s diplomatic presence worldwide.
Upon assuming office in May 2023, Tinubu reassessed the nation’s foreign policy direction, leading to the recall of ambassadors with instructions to return to Nigeria by October 31, 2023. However, budgetary constraints and bureaucratic processes delayed the appointment of replacements.
According to the 1999 Constitution, appointments to ambassadorial positions require the President’s nomination and Senate confirmation. While the Foreign Affairs Ministry had submitted a list of potential career diplomats to the President as early as March 2024, the delay persisted. In May, Minister of Foreign Affairs Yusuf Tuggar attributed the holdup to insufficient funds, while former ministry spokesperson Eche Abu-Ode highlighted the impact of budgetary allocations on the process.
As President Tinubu continues state visits to France and South Africa, the list of nominees is expected to be finalized and sent to the Senate after his return. Sources indicate that African countries might be prioritized in the initial round of appointments.
Meanwhile, interim measures, such as the appointment of consuls-general and chargés d’affaires in April 2024, have allowed missions to perform basic administrative duties. However, experts note that these positions lack the authority for high-level engagements, leaving Nigeria at a disadvantage in critical diplomatic matters.
Ex-diplomats and stakeholders have expressed concerns over the prolonged absence of ambassadors, warning of potential reputational damage. Ambassador Rasheed Akinkuolie emphasized that host governments could interpret the lack of representation as instability, while former Ambassador to Mexico, Dr. Ogbole Amedu-Ode, noted that chargés d’affaires can only maintain continuity but not lead negotiations at the highest levels.
Once the nominees are announced and screened by the Senate, host countries must approve the appointments through a process called “agreement.” This involves background checks to ensure the nominees meet international diplomatic standards. This phase could take three to six months depending on the bilateral relationship between Nigeria and the respective countries.
Reports suggest that the list of nominees might include a senior media aide to President Tinubu, a prominent bank founder, a former Deputy Governor of Lagos State, and a Speaker of a northern House of Assembly. These names reflect a mix of professional expertise and political considerations.
The delay has raised concerns within Nigeria’s diplomatic and political circles. A senior official, speaking anonymously, noted that the absence of ambassadors had limited Nigeria’s participation in global meetings and international negotiations. “The President and Foreign Affairs Minister cannot handle everything themselves,” the official said, adding that the delay had affected the country’s ability to assert its influence in key global discussions.
Despite these challenges, optimism remains high that the forthcoming appointments will restore Nigeria’s presence on the global stage and enhance the nation’s ability to manage international relations effectively. Stakeholders are hopeful that this development will mark a significant step toward addressing the months-long leadership vacuum in Nigeria’s diplomatic missions.
