President Bola Tinubu is expected to announce Nigeria’s new ambassadors to foreign missions in the coming days, following a final review of the nominee list, the Presidency has confirmed.
A senior official at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs told the Ravenewsonline on Tuesday that the President had ordered a “final cleanup” of the list to address recent changes, including retirements and health-related withdrawals.
“The President is keen on restoring Nigeria’s diplomatic strength globally. The final list is undergoing vetting and will be released shortly,” the official said.
The move comes amid growing concerns over Nigeria’s diplomatic presence, especially following the recall of all ambassadors in September 2023. Since then, most embassies have been managed by chargés d’affaires, limiting Nigeria’s engagement capacity.
The urgency of the appointments has intensified following recent remarks by U.S. President Donald Trump, who designated Nigeria a “Country of Particular Concern” over alleged religious persecution.
Foreign policy analysts have warned that the absence of full ambassadors could hinder Nigeria’s ability to counter negative narratives and protect national interests abroad.
The Presidency has assured that the new ambassadors will be deployed to strategic missions, including Washington, London, and Brussels, to strengthen bilateral ties and promote Nigeria’s global image.
Ravenewsonline reports that the Senate had earlier screened the nominees, and security agencies have concluded background checks.
The announcement is expected before the end of the week.
