The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has called on the public to disregard a fraudulent list of ambassadorial nominees that has been circulating on social media platforms.
In a statement issued on Sunday and signed by the Ministry’s spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa, the Ministry clarified that the nomination and appointment of ambassadors are exclusively within the President’s authority. It was further stressed that no such appointments have been made as of yet.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs wishes to inform the general public to disregard the fake list of ambassadorial nominees currently circulating on various social media platforms,” the statement read. “We want to categorically clarify that the appointment of ambassadors is solely at the discretion of Mr. President, and no such appointments have been made at this time.”
The Ministry advised the public to ignore the inaccurate information and refrain from giving it any credence. It further stated that the fake list should be dismissed outright.
As of now, Nigeria has 109 diplomatic missions worldwide, which include 76 embassies, 22 high commissions, and 11 consulates.
This announcement follows President Bola Tinubu’s earlier decision on September 2, 2023, to recall all ambassadors, both career and non-career, from their respective posts in Nigeria’s diplomatic missions, embassies, and consulates across the globe.
The Ministry confirmed this directive, with a statement clarifying that, “In response to inquiries regarding the letter recalling the Nigerian Ambassador to the UK, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, has clarified that all career and non-career ambassadors have been recalled on the instructions of President Bola Tinubu.”
These ambassadors were instructed to return to Nigeria on or before October 31, 2023, including the 41 non-career ambassadors and 42 career ambassadors who were appointed during the previous administration.
