See When Tinubu is Set to Appoint Ambassadors, Presidential Aide Reveals
President Bola Tinubu is expected to announce his new ambassadors within the next few weeks, according to his Senior Special Adviser on Foreign Affairs and Protocol, Ademola Oshodi.
Speaking on Channels Television’s 2024 Year-in-Review programme, Oshodi revealed that the president’s administration is working to finalize the appointments, which will then be presented to the Senate for approval. “I believe that within the next few weeks, we will make a pronouncement regarding the new ambassadors, and subsequent steps will be taken to ensure their accreditation and deployment to their respective missions around the world,” Oshodi said.
This statement comes in the wake of criticisms from former Nigerian diplomats, including Lawrence Obisakin, the country’s former Ambassador to Benin Republic, and Ayoola Olukanni, Nigeria’s ex-High Commissioner to Australia, who have expressed concerns over the lack of new appointments, more than 16 months after Tinubu took office. The president had recalled all Nigerian ambassadors shortly after his inauguration in May 2023.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, led by Minister Yusuf Tuggar, had previously explained that the recall of ambassadors was within the president’s constitutional prerogative. Despite this, the new appointments have yet to be made, even as foreign ambassadors continue to serve in Nigeria.
In response to these concerns, Oshodi emphasized that the process is ongoing, with the necessary groundwork being laid to ensure that the embassies are fully prepared for the new envoys. “Things are being put in place for the ambassadors and high commissioners. We have chargé d’affaires and consuls general in place as a temporary measure, serving as a prelude to the arrival of the appointed ambassadors,” Oshodi clarified.
He further reassured that Nigeria’s foreign missions were functioning smoothly, noting that the president inherited a system that needed restructuring and preparation. “The missions are not in crisis. The president has been focused on ensuring that the embassies are ready, with the necessary support for the ambassadors and their families,” Oshodi added.
Oshodi also pointed out that previous administrations took several months to finalize ambassadorial appointments, citing that the last administration took 20 months before settling on new envoys.
