Diplomatic Shake-Up: Nigeria Set to Announce New Ambassadors After Two-Year Gap
Nearly two years after President Bola Tinubu recalled all Nigerian ambassadors, the federal government is now poised to announce their replacements “very soon,” sources say.
According to Reuters, authorities have begun vetting potential candidates for ambassadorial positions, with intelligence officials conducting thorough background checks. The gathered information is reportedly being shared with relevant agencies within the presidency and the legislature to facilitate the selection process.
Tinubu made the sweeping decision to recall all career and non-career ambassadors in September 2023, just six months into his presidency. Since then, consuls-general and chargés d’affaires have been appointed to manage Nigeria’s diplomatic missions, but the absence of permanent ambassadors has left a significant leadership void.
This prolonged delay has drawn concern from foreign officials and stakeholders, particularly as Nigeria continues to receive letters of credence from foreign diplomats posted to the country. Many have questioned the lack of reciprocal appointments, which has hampered Nigeria’s diplomatic engagements on the global stage.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Yusuf Tuggar previously attributed the delay to budgetary constraints, noting that funding issues had stalled the appointment process. However, a government insider has now confirmed to Reuters that the financial hurdles “are being resolved,” paving the way for an imminent announcement.
In a sign of renewed commitment to its foreign missions, the federal government has earmarked N302.4 billion for diplomatic services in its 2025 budget. With this allocation, expectations are high that Nigeria will soon reestablish full diplomatic representation across its embassies and high commissions worldwide.
