Tinubu ambassadorial nominations reach Senate, marking first step to restore Nigeria’s foreign missions after a two-year vacancy
President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday in Abuja submitted the first set of Tinubu ambassadorial nominations to the Senate, forwarding three names for screening more than two years after he recalled all Nigerian envoys from 109 foreign missions.
Also read: Aggrieved APC Aspirants Back Tinubu’s 2027 Re-election Bid
Senate President Godswill Akpabio announced the development during plenary, confirming Kayode Are from Ogun State, Aminu Dalhatu from Jigawa State and Ayodele Oke as the nominees.
Akpabio noted that the list represented an initial batch and that additional names were expected.
Tinubu had ordered the mass recall of ambassadors in September 2023, just four months after taking office, citing the need for a comprehensive reform of Nigeria’s diplomatic service.
Since then, missions have been led by charge d’affaires, career officials who lack the full diplomatic authority of accredited ambassadors.
Foreign Affairs Minister Yusuf Tuggar disclosed in April that a list of nominees had awaited presidential approval for more than a year.
He attributed the delay to the economic restructuring that followed subsidy removal and the floating of the naira, though critics argued that the prolonged diplomatic vacuum undermined Nigeria’s global engagement.
The absence of ambassadors drew heightened scrutiny following diplomatic tension with the United States after former President Donald Trump designated Nigeria a “Country of Particular Concern” over alleged Christian persecution.
Analysts said the lack of senior diplomatic leadership weakened Nigeria’s ability to respond swiftly and effectively.
Wednesday’s transmission of nominees marks the first concrete move toward rebuilding Nigeria’s diplomatic presence abroad.
Also read: Tinubu Issues Stark Warning on Vulnerable Boarding Schools
If confirmed, the ambassadors are expected to enhance the country’s foreign investment drive, international partnerships and geopolitical positioning.
