President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is preparing to submit the long-awaited list of ambassadorial nominees to the Nigerian Senate for screening and confirmation.
The list, which will include ambassadors and high commissioners to represent Nigeria in various countries and multilateral organizations, is expected to be submitted in early December 2024. This move comes after a prolonged diplomatic gap, following the recall of 83 ambassadors in September 2023, a decision that left several key ambassadorial positions vacant and significantly impacted Nigeria’s diplomatic presence worldwide.
As of now, Nigeria maintains 109 diplomatic missions globally, which include 76 embassies, 22 high commissions, and 11 consulates. These missions play crucial roles in fostering international relations, trade, and political engagement. However, the vacancies left by the recalled ambassadors have resulted in a noticeable void in Nigeria’s diplomatic operations, with no full representation in critical international meetings. As such, the appointment of new ambassadors has become a pressing matter. To address the shortage of diplomats, the government began deploying consular officers to Nigerian missions worldwide in November 2024, a temporary measure designed to ensure that Nigeria maintains a presence at diplomatic engagements until new ambassadors are confirmed and deployed.
At the time of writing, President Tinubu is currently on a state visit to France, invited by President Emmanuel Macron, as part of strengthening bilateral relations between the two nations. After his visit to France, he is scheduled to travel to South Africa, marking his second trip to the country since attending President Cyril Ramaphosa’s inauguration in June 2024. These international engagements are an indication of the President’s commitment to re-establishing Nigeria’s global diplomatic influence. Since assuming office in May 2023, Tinubu has taken significant steps to review and reform Nigeria’s foreign policy, which included the decision to recall 83 ambassadors, both career and non-career diplomats, who were tasked with returning to Nigeria by October 31, 2023.
Despite the clear directive, the ambassadorial posts have remained unfilled, and the absence of Nigeria’s full diplomatic representation has led to concerns about the country’s ability to engage effectively in key international forums. This delay has been attributed to a number of factors, including budgetary constraints. In a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs earlier in the year, Minister Yusuf Tuggar noted that the delay in appointments was partly due to funding issues, which hindered the timely release of funds necessary for the full implementation of ambassadorial appointments. Former officials also pointed to budget allocations as a major factor influencing the timeline for these key diplomatic appointments.
The process of selecting the new ambassadors has involved careful planning and review. On March 25, 2024, Minister Tuggar revealed that the ministry had already submitted a list of potential career diplomats for consideration by the President. While the specifics of the list remain largely unknown, sources suggest that it leans heavily toward career diplomats, with fewer political appointees than usual. This is seen as part of a broader push to ensure that Nigeria’s foreign relations are managed by experienced diplomats who can effectively represent the country’s interests abroad.
Bayo Onanuga, the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, elaborated on the nomination process, explaining that the list of nominees would be divided into two categories: career diplomats and political appointees. He emphasized that the process requires thorough vetting to ensure that the selected individuals are best suited for their roles. According to Onanuga, the nomination process involves scrutiny of the individuals’ qualifications, experience, and their potential to contribute to Nigeria’s diplomatic and strategic objectives.
Once the list is submitted to the Senate, the nominees will undergo screening, which is expected to take several weeks. The Senate’s role is crucial, as it is tasked with confirming the President’s appointments, ensuring that only the most qualified individuals represent Nigeria at the highest diplomatic levels. The list of nominees will be presented to the Senate President, who will then announce it, and the chamber will begin its confirmation process. Following confirmation, the appointed ambassadors will undergo additional background checks by the host countries before they are formally accepted and deployed to their respective posts.
While the final list of nominees remains under wraps, there are speculations about some of the individuals who may be appointed. Among the potential appointees is a senior official from the President’s media team, as well as notable figures such as the founder of a leading tier-one bank, a former Deputy Governor of Lagos State, and the Speaker of a House of Assembly in the North. These appointments are seen as part of a broader strategy to ensure that Nigeria’s foreign policy is handled by a mix of experienced diplomats and individuals with significant leadership experience.
The prolonged delay in appointing ambassadors has raised concerns about Nigeria’s diplomatic effectiveness and influence on the world stage. Several government officials have expressed frustration with the absence of full diplomatic representation, pointing out that important international meetings are being held without Nigeria’s participation at a high level. One anonymous official noted, “Many decisions are being made around the world right now, and Nigeria is not at the table because we don’t have the necessary diplomats in place.” The diplomatic void has made it difficult for Nigeria to assert its interests on key global issues, and as such, the appointment of ambassadors has become a priority for the Tinubu administration.
Furthermore, the diplomatic community has been awaiting these appointments for some time, as the current temporary staff members lack the full diplomatic authority necessary for high-level engagements. The new ambassadors will be tasked with representing Nigeria in critical international dialogues, facilitating trade agreements, and fostering relationships with other nations. However, the reality is that the delay in appointments has impeded Nigeria’s ability to act swiftly on the global stage, with the absence of ambassadors leaving the country without adequate representation at several key events.
As the President prepares to submit the list of nominees, the focus remains on the effectiveness of these new appointments. If confirmed by the Senate, the incoming ambassadors will play a crucial role in restoring Nigeria’s global standing, which has been hindered by a lack of representation at critical international forums. The delay, however, also presents an opportunity for the government to ensure that the individuals selected are not only qualified but capable of driving Nigeria’s diplomatic and strategic interests forward in an increasingly complex global environment.
