Tinubu moves to appoint new ambassadors amid rising tension with US

President Bola Tinubu is finalizing the long-awaited appointment of ambassadors to Nigeria’s foreign missions, months after recalling all envoys and leaving several diplomatic posts vacant IDOMA VOICE gathered.

Multiple sources within the Presidency confirmed that Tinubu has ordered a “final cleanup” of the ambassadorial list, marking the last stage before the official release of nominees.

According to a senior official who spoke on condition of anonymity, “It is going to be concluded very soon. They are just cleaning it up now because since the President sent it to the Senate, some people on that list have died, while others have retired or are no longer eligible for appointment.”

The official explained that the Senate had already screened the nominees, but the updated list was necessary to remove ineligible candidates and ensure accuracy. Another source added that security and background checks were completed months ago, but several adjustments became necessary following the death, retirement, or withdrawal of some nominees.

“The earlier list is outdated. The cleanup will ensure the final list reflects only those still available and qualified. It can be completed within a week,” the source said.

The move comes more than two years after Tinubu’s directive in September 2023 recalling all ambassadors from Nigeria’s 109 foreign missions — 76 embassies, 22 high commissions, and 11 consulates — as part of a sweeping “diplomatic review.”

Since then, most missions have been run by chargés d’affaires or senior consular officers with limited authority to engage in high-level negotiations.

A senior foreign service source warned that this prolonged vacancy has weakened Nigeria’s diplomatic influence.

“Most foreign governments don’t accord the same respect to chargés d’affaires as they do to ambassadors. At a time like this, with global diplomatic pressures, it is crucial to have ambassadors in place,” the source said.

The renewed urgency follows rising diplomatic tension after former U.S. President Donald Trump threatened military action against Nigeria, citing alleged killings of Christians. Trump recently labelled Nigeria a “Country of Particular Concern” and claimed to have directed U.S. agencies to prepare for possible intervention.

While Presidency officials denied a direct link between Trump’s comments and the new push for ambassadorial appointments, one official acknowledged that having ambassadors in place “would have made communication smoother” with key international partners.

Foreign Affairs Minister Yusuf Tuggar is expected to meet with President Tinubu today (Tuesday) at the State House to finalise the ambassadorial list, according to Presidency insiders.

“When the President is ready to make that appointment, it will be made public. An official statement will come soon,” one of the officials confirmed.

Earlier reports indicated that financial constraints — including over $1 billion needed to clear arrears, renovate embassies, and fund operational expenses — had stalled the appointments. Tinubu had previously admitted that balancing political and career considerations made the process more complex.

“It’s not easy stitching those names,” the President told members of The Buhari Organisation during a September 2025 visit. “I couldn’t appoint everybody at once. I still have some slots for ambassadorial positions that so many people are craving for.”