Tinubu to appoint new ambassadors after prolonged delay
President Bola Tinubu is said to be preparing to appoint ambassadors to Nigeria’s diplomatic missions in major countries in the near future, according to reliable sources within the presidency.
This action responds to growing public unease that the prolonged absence of full-time envoys has diminished the country's diplomatic representation abroad, particularly in crucial strategic locations like the United States, amidst sensitive topics such as the alleged Christian genocide issue.
In September 2023, President Tinubu had recalled all envoys from Nigeria’s missions, which included 76 embassies, 22 high commissions, and 11 consulates around the globe, as part of a strategy to reassess the country’s foreign policy.
Nonetheless, the following process of selecting new ambassadors has faced numerous delays, occurring over two years into the existing administration's term. In the absence of confirmed diplomats, the various missions have been overseen by chargés d’affaires or other senior consular officials.
By April 2025, The PUNCH reported from sources close to the President that the Federal Government had completed the vetting of the nominated individuals for the ambassadorial positions, including essential security and background checks carried out by relevant agencies.
President Tinubu had previously explained that the delays were due to the intricate political factors involved in such prominent appointments. While meeting with members of The Buhari Organisation at the Presidential Villa in September, he remarked, “I couldn’t appoint everybody at once, and I appreciate your patience. I still have some slots for ambassadorial positions that many people are eager for. However, it’s challenging to finalize those names.”
Last week, several officials from the presidency confirmed that the President had ordered a “final cleanup” of the list prior to its official release. One official elaborated that since the initial list was submitted to the Senate, some of the nominated individuals had passed away, while others were no longer eligible due to retirement.
The official indicated that the need for this cleanup had resulted in the Senate, the Upper Chamber, returning the ambassadorial list to the presidency for necessary revisions.
In interviews with The Nigerianwatch, senior aides familiar with the process confirmed that the cleanup is nearing completion and that only ambassadors for significant countries would initially be appointed.
One source revealed, “The final process is almost done. The President is devoted to making the appointments, and an announcement will follow in the upcoming weeks. However, I wouldn’t want to specify a timeframe. Only ambassadors to significant countries will be named.”
Another senior official from the presidency suggested that the list is anticipated to be unveiled before the month concludes, although they refrained from giving an exact date for the announcement.
That official mentioned, “The President has instructed them to finalize the list. I’m confident it should be ready by the end of the month. There’s no need for speculation. When it’s prepared, it will be officially declared.”
The Nigerianwatch had previously reported that part of the extended delay in the appointments was associated with substantial funding issues, with an estimated $1 billion needed to settle debts owed to foreign service officers, clear outstanding overheads, replace aging vehicles, and refurbish mission buildings.
Earlier this year, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, confirmed the financial difficulties, warning that sending new envoys without adequate operational resources would be unproductive.
To tackle the financial deficit, the Federal Government allocated N2.1 billion in the 2025 budget specifically for the allowances and benefits of ambassadors and officials.
As reported by The Nigerianwatch, an extra N53 billion was suggested for the refurbishment of 103 foreign missions, which includes chanceries, staff accommodations, residences for ambassadors, office furnishings, and official vehicles. The proposed funding featured substantial amounts for different missions, such as N554 million for Abidjan, N812 million for Banjul, N555 million for Brazzaville, N558 million for Port of Spain, N576 million for Caracas, N624 million for Kingston, N567 million for Libreville, N409 million for Buenos Aires, and N899 million for Niamey, among others.
A correspondence dated July 3, 2025, from the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation, also verified that the Tinubu administration disbursed a total of $54 million to assist the operations of the nation's 103 embassies and high commissions.
The document indicated that this funding comprised $46.14 million designated for overhead expenses, $9.58 million for personnel costs, and $282,829 for miscellaneous expenses. Nonetheless, as the year draws to a close without significant ambassadorial appointments, there is increasing public concern regarding the allocated budgets for the missions that continue to operate without official envoys.
In October, the House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs summoned Minister Tuggar and Heads of Missions to provide an account for the use of funds allocated to Nigeria’s foreign missions in the 2025 budget.
The committee, in a letter dated July 24, 2025, and signed by its Chairman, Oluwole Oke, invoked Sections 88 and 89 of the amended 1999 Constitution to request comprehensive records on how the funds were utilized by the various missions. The committee, led by Oke, had previously initiated an investigation into a contract scandal concerning the alleged mishandling of $2 million set aside for the renovation of Nigeria’s Permanent Representative’s residence at the United Nations headquarters in New York.
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