President Bola Tinubu has formally begun the process of appointing ambassadors, sending a list of nominees to the Senate for confirmation.

Announcing the development on Wednesday, Senate President Godswill Akpabio revealed that the initial list comprises three names, with additional nominations expected in due course.

The first set of nominees includes Kayode Are of Ogun State, Aminu Dalhatu of Jigawa, and Ayodele Oke.

“The list contains three names for now, I am sure others will follow,” Akpabio said after reading the letter from President Bola Tinubu.

In September 2023, the Nigerian government announced the withdrawal of the country’s ambassadors across the globe.

Nigeria has a total of 109 missions, comprising 76 embassies, 22 high commissions, and 11 consulates.

Usually, ambassadors represent Nigeria abroad and maintain diplomatic relations with host countries. Other functions include the promotion of foreign policy, protection of citizens, promotion of trade and investment, and gathering information for Nigeria.

In 2023, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, disclosed the recall of all envoys.

The minister’s media aide, Alkasim Abdulkadir, said, “Sequel to inquiries on the letter recalling the Nigerian ambassador to the UK, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, has clarified that all career and non-career ambassadors have been recalled on the instructions of President Bola Tinubu.

“Ambassadors, as representatives of the country, serve at the behest of the President, and it is his prerogative to send or recall them from any country.”

The Tinubu administration has not only delayed appointing ambassadors; the welfare of diplomats at embassies has also come under scrutiny.

In the second week of July, New Telegraph reported that diplomats were owed salaries for six months.

In February, The PUNCH reported that at least 450 foreign service officers in 109 Nigerian missions abroad had yet to receive their salaries for five to six months.

It was noted that the officials, serving under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, were in financial distress and could not pay rent, children’s school fees, or meet other family and social obligations.

In May 2024, Tuggar attributed the delay in appointing ambassadors to the financial and economic challenges being faced by the current administration.

On November 16, 2024, the House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs called on the Nigerian federal government to prioritise adequate funding of the nation’s foreign missions to enable them to deliver services as provided in the country’s extant laws.

The latest development comes amid pressure on the country by the United States over the rising spate of insecurity and the alleged genocide against Christians.

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