November 26, (THEWILL) — President Bola Tinubu has forwarded the names of three ambassadorial nominees to the Senate for screening and confirmation, marking the first set of such appointments since he assumed office in 2023.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio announced the nominees during plenary on Wednesday.
Those on the list are Kayode Are from Ogun State, Aminu Dalhatu from Jigawa State and Ayodele Oke.
“The list contains three names for now; I am sure others will follow”, Akpabio said after reading the president’s letter.
The nominations come after months of public debate over the absence of appointed ambassadors—an issue critics argued had weakened Nigeria’s diplomatic presence. The conversation intensified after the United States placed Nigeria on its Country of Particular Concern (CPC) list, a move some analysts linked to the vacuum in ambassadorial leadership.
However, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, had repeatedly countered such claims, insisting that missions abroad remained fully operational
“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”, he said in a September interview.
Tuggar explained that while ambassadors serve as heads of mission, daily operations are competently handled by deputies, counsellors and seasoned career diplomats.
“Diplomacy is not a one-man show. The system is designed to cope with such situations,” he noted.
He stressed that the appointment of ambassadors is strictly the president’s prerogative and would be made in due course. Despite the long wait, he maintained that Nigeria’s foreign policy goals remain on track, with embassies continuing to facilitate trade, investment, consular services and cultural exchanges.
“Nigerians abroad are still accessing services, and our engagement with host countries has not diminished”, he said.
Felix Ifijeh is a journalist with years of professional reporting experience. Known for his keen news sense, compelling storytelling and commitment to accurate, impactful reporting, he has built a reputation for turning leads into clear, engaging, and well-structured reports that resonate with readers. His work reflects deep newsroom experience and a commitment to accurate, impactful journalism.
