President Bola Tinubu is set to finalize the long-delayed appointment of ambassadors to Nigeria’s foreign missions, ending months of diplomatic vacancies that have left many embassies without official heads.
Presidency sources told The PUNCH that the President has ordered a “final cleanup” of the ambassadorial list before it is released, following pressure to fill the vacant positions and restore Nigeria’s full diplomatic presence abroad.
“It is going to be concluded very soon,” a senior government official confirmed, adding that several changes became necessary after some earlier nominees either passed away, retired, or became ineligible for appointment. “Since the list was first sent to the Senate, some of the nominees have died, while others have retired or have less than one year left in service.”
According to the sources, the Senate had already screened the initial list months ago, and it was later returned to the President for final adjustments. Security and background checks were also completed, but the process stalled as several nominees opted out or took up other appointments.
“The cleanup will ensure that only qualified and available candidates make the final list,” another official explained. “The review can be concluded within a week once the President approves the new names.”
This move comes more than two years after Tinubu’s September 2023 decision to recall all Nigerian ambassadors from 109 foreign missions—including embassies, high commissions, and consulates—for a comprehensive review of the nation’s diplomatic framework. Since then, most missions have been led by chargés d’affaires or senior consular officers with limited authority.
A senior Foreign Service source noted that the absence of ambassadors had weakened Nigeria’s representation abroad. “Foreign governments don’t treat chargés d’affaires with the same diplomatic weight as ambassadors. With global tensions and growing diplomatic demands, Nigeria urgently needs full ambassadors in place,” the source said.
The renewed urgency to complete the appointments follows heightened international attention on Nigeria after U.S. President Donald Trump recently threatened military action against the country over alleged killings of Christians. Trump declared Nigeria a “Country of Particular Concern” and accused its government of ignoring violence against Christians.
While Presidency officials dismissed claims that the lack of ambassadors caused the strain in relations, they admitted it made communication slower. “The absence of ambassadors didn’t trigger the crisis with the U.S., but their presence could have made engagement easier,” one official said.
Sources revealed that Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, is scheduled to meet President Tinubu today (Tuesday) at the State House, where the final list of ambassadors may be discussed.
“When the President is ready to make the announcement, it will be made public. The Presidency will issue an official statement soon,” another insider confirmed.
In April 2025, The PUNCH reported that the Federal Government had completed vetting and security checks for the ambassadorial nominees, but financial constraints delayed the appointments. Officials said the government needed over $1 billion to clear arrears, renovate missions, replace old vehicles, and cover operational expenses.
President Tinubu had previously 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. “I couldn’t appoint everyone at once. I still have some ambassadorial slots that many people are craving for.”