ABUJA, Nigeria — President Bola Tinubu is preparing to finalize the appointment of ambassadors to Nigeria’s foreign missions, ending a prolonged diplomatic vacuum that has drawn criticism from international partners and domestic observers.
Presidency officials confirmed that Tinubu has ordered a final review of the nominee list, which had previously been submitted to the Senate. The cleanup process is intended to remove individuals who have died, retired, or become ineligible due to health or service limitations.
“It is going to be concluded very soon,” said a senior official familiar with the matter. “Some nominees have passed away or taken other appointments. The list is being updated to reflect those still eligible.”
The Senate had already screened the original nominees, but the revised list is expected to be released shortly. Officials say the process of re-verifying names is straightforward and could be completed within a week.
The move comes more than two years after Tinubu recalled all ambassadors from Nigeria’s 109 foreign missions in September 2023 as part of a comprehensive diplomatic overhaul. Since then, most missions have been led by chargés d’affaires or senior consular officers with limited authority.
Foreign service experts say the absence of full ambassadors has weakened Nigeria’s diplomatic presence. “Chargés d’affaires do not command the same respect as ambassadors, especially during high-level negotiations,” said one senior diplomat.
The urgency to restore ambassadorial representation has intensified following recent comments by U.S. President Donald Trump, who accused Nigeria of religious persecution and threatened military intervention. Trump labeled Nigeria a “Country of Particular Concern” and claimed to have instructed the U.S. Department of War to prepare for possible action.
“If the Nigerian Government continues to allow the killing of Christians, the U.S.A. will immediately stop all aid and may go in ‘guns-a-blazing,’” Trump wrote on his social media platform.
While Nigerian officials have dismissed the threat as inflammatory, some acknowledge that the absence of ambassadors may have hindered diplomatic communication. “Their presence could have made engagement with foreign governments smoother,” said a presidency source.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Yusuf Tuggar is expected to meet with Tinubu at the State House to discuss the finalization of the appointments. Although the agenda has not been officially confirmed, insiders suggest the ambassadorial list will be a key topic.
The delay in appointments has also been linked to funding challenges. Officials estimate that over $1 billion is needed to settle arrears, replace aging diplomatic vehicles, renovate embassies, and cover operational costs.
Tinubu has acknowledged the difficulty of balancing political and professional interests in the selection process. “It’s not easy stitching those names,” he said during a meeting with members of The Buhari Organisation in September. “I still have some slots that many people are craving for.”
The Presidency is expected to release an official statement once the appointments are finalized, signaling a renewed push to strengthen Nigeria’s global diplomatic footprint.
