President Tinubu is reportedly set to appoint over 100 Ambassadors in the coming weeks.
NewsOnline Nigeria reports that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is expected to announce his list of ambassadors in the coming weeks.
This was disclosed by Ademola Oshodi, Tinubu’s Senior Special Adviser on Foreign Affairs and Protocol, during Channels Television’s 2024 Year-In-Review programme on Sunday.
“I believe in the next few weeks, there will be a pronouncement for the ambassadors, and steps will be taken by the Senate and accreditation to put them in place in their various missions around the world,” he said.
Recall that on September 2, 2023, three months into his presidency, Tinubu recalled all Nigerian ambassadors stationed in over 100 embassies and high commissions worldwide.
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The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, previously explained that ambassadors serve at the President’s discretion, and it is his prerogative to recall or appoint them as needed.
However, 16 months later, no new ambassadors have been nominated for Senate approval or deployed to missions abroad. Meanwhile, Nigeria continues to host ambassadors from other countries in its capital, Abuja.
Oshodi defended the delay, stating that the President has been laying the groundwork for the appointment of new envoys.
“The ambassadors are coming but the most important thing we should realise is that things are being put in place for the ambassadors and the high commissioners. We have chargé d’affaires to the nations, and consul generals that have been sent, more of a prelude to the ambassadors’ arrival,” he said.
He also addressed concerns about the state of foreign missions, explaining that the President inherited missions in poor condition, necessitating repairs and preparations for incoming ambassadors and their families.
“The foreign missions are not in dire straits. The president inherited missions that were not in great shape. So, things have to be put in shape and prepared for the ambassadors, and their families, dignitaries, diplomats, etc.
“It is something that the President and his administration are focused on. As much as the ambassadors are key, I want to clearly state that even the last administration, without giving excuses, took 20 months for them to put ambassadors in place,” Oshodi added.
