Nigeria Set to Announce New Ambassadors After Two-Year Delay
President Bola Tinubu is expected to announce a new set of ambassadors to Nigeria’s foreign missions in major countries in the coming weeks, according to senior officials at the Presidential Villa.
The decision follows increasing public concern that the prolonged absence of substantive envoys has weakened Nigeria’s diplomatic standing, especially in key countries such as the United States where controversy over alleged Christian persecution has drawn global attention.
Tinubu had recalled all Nigerian envoys in September 2023 from 76 embassies, 22 high commissions and 11 consulates worldwide, initiating a review of the country’s foreign policy direction. More than two years later, the appointment of fresh ambassadors has been stalled by repeated delays.
In the meantime, the affected missions have been run by chargés d’affaires and senior consular officers.
By April 2025, sources confirmed that the Federal Government had completed vetting nominees, including extensive security screening by relevant agencies. However, political considerations continued to slow down the process.
During a meeting at the Presidential Villa last September, Tinubu acknowledged the challenges, saying the selection required careful balancing.
Last week, multiple presidency insiders said the President ordered a final review of the ambassadorial list. Some nominees had died or retired, prompting the Senate to return the list for adjustment.
Officials familiar with the process confirmed that only envoys for key nations would be named in the first batch.
“The process is almost done. The President will make the announcement in the coming weeks. Only strategic postings will be filled for now,” one top aide said.
Another senior official added that the list was expected before the end of November, though no exact date was provided.
Budget strain and stalled missions
Findings by Noblequestdaily indicate that the delay is partly tied to financial constraints, including a funding requirement of about $1bn to settle arrears, refurbish missions, and replace outdated vehicles and equipment.
Foreign Affairs Minister Yusuf Tuggar earlier in the year warned that deploying envoys without adequate funding would undermine Nigeria’s representation abroad.
To ease the pressure, the Federal Government allocated N2.1bn in the 2025 budget for ambassadors’ postings and return entitlements, while proposing N53bn for the renovation of 103 foreign missions. These include allocations of N554m for Abidjan, N812m for Banjul, N555m for Brazzaville, N558m for Port of Spain, and other missions in Kingston, Niamey, Libreville, and Buenos Aires.
A letter dated July 3, 2025, from the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation showed that $54m had already been released to support embassy operations, covering overhead and personnel costs.
Still, with the year drawing to a close and no substantive envoys appointed, questions continue to mount over how the appropriated funds are being utilised.
In October, the House Committee on Foreign Affairs summoned Minister Tuggar and Heads of Mission to explain spending patterns across the embassies, invoking constitutional provisions requiring transparency in public expenditure.
Earlier this year, the committee began investigating a contract scandal involving the alleged mishandling of $2m meant for renovating the residence of Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York.
