President Tinubu poised to appoint new ambassadors after 18-month wait

President Bola Tinubu is finally ready to fill Nigeria’s ambassadorial positions, nearly 18 months without permanent ambassadors.

Sources close to the government say the screening process for candidates to lead over 100 Nigerian diplomatic missions worldwide is complete.

In September 2023, shortly after assuming office, President Tinubu recalled all Nigerian ambassadors, leaving many diplomatic posts vacant. However, the government now plans to make appointments “very soon,” according to a Foreign Affairs insider.

The delay has been attributed to financial constraints, with Nigeria budgeting N302.4 billion this year for its foreign missions. A former ambassador, who has served in Africa and the US, explained that since taking office in May 2023, President Tinubu has prioritised the economy over foreign policy. This focus on internal issues has meant that filling ambassadorial roles has taken a back seat.

Foreign leaders have reportedly raised concerns about Nigeria’s lack of ambassadors during meetings with President Tinubu. In response, the president has assured them that appointments will be made shortly.

An anonymous official confirmed that the list of new ambassadors will soon be submitted to the Senate for approval. In the meantime, 12 consuls-general and five chargés d’affaires were appointed in April 2024 to temporarily represent Nigeria in 14 countries, though these appointments lacked the diplomatic authority required for high-level international discussions.

Some of the names reportedly under consideration for the ambassadorial roles include a former Lagos State Deputy Governor, the Speaker of a Northern House of Assembly, and a prominent bank founder.