Nigerian President Bola Tinubu has nominated three career diplomats as ambassadors, ending a lengthy delay in top-level foreign postings since he took office in 2023.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio announced the nominees during a plenary session on Wednesday. The list includes Kayode Are from Ogun State, Aminu Dalhatu from Jigawa, and Ayodele Oke.
“The list contains three names for now; I am sure others will follow,” Akpabio said after reading Tinubu’s letter to lawmakers.
Tinubu has faced criticism for failing to appoint ambassadors more than a year after assuming office. Some analysts linked gaps in Nigeria’s diplomatic representation to strained international relations, including the United States’ decision under former President Donald Trump to place Nigeria on a religious freedom watchlist.
Foreign Affairs Minister Yusuf Tuggar rejected suggestions that the absence of ambassadors had weakened Nigeria’s foreign missions.
“All our embassies are functioning well. The chargés d’affaires in each mission are carrying out responsibilities effectively. The absence of ambassadors has not created a vacuum,” Tuggar said in a September interview.
He explained that diplomatic missions continue to operate under established hierarchies that include deputy heads of mission, counsellors and other career officials.
“Diplomacy is not a one-man show. The system is designed to cope with such situations,” he said.
Tuggar stressed that ambassadorial appointments remain the president’s prerogative and would be made “in due course.”
“Mr President is considering the matter, and when the time is right, names will be announced. Meanwhile, our missions are not idle,” he added.
The minister said Nigeria’s foreign policy goals were still being pursued, with embassies providing trade, investment, consular and cultural services.
“Nigerians abroad are still accessing services, and our engagement with host countries has not diminished,” he said.
Tuggar noted that other countries also operate for long periods without ambassadors in some posts, without weakening diplomatic ties.
“This is not peculiar to Nigeria. Diplomacy provides for such scenarios. What matters is substance, not optics,” he said.
“Our foreign policy direction is clear, and our presence is felt globally. What we are doing is ensuring that our missions deliver tangible results for Nigerians, not just ceremonial appearances,” he added.
