After a 16-month wait, President Bola Tinubu is set to appoint new ambassadors to represent Nigeria across the globe, an official statement confirms.
In a move long awaited by both Nigerians and the international community, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is finally preparing to announce a new set of ambassadors for Nigeria. This comes 16 months after the President made the bold decision to recall all Nigerian ambassadors, both career diplomats and political appointees, from their posts across the globe.
Ademola Oshodi, the Senior Special Adviser on Foreign Affairs and Protocol to President Tinubu, confirmed the upcoming appointments during a recent appearance on Channels Television’s 2024 Year-In-Review programme. Oshodi assured the public that the appointments would occur within the next few weeks, paving the way for Nigeria to once again have a full diplomatic presence across its various foreign missions.
“I believe in the next few weeks, there will be a pronouncement for the ambassadors, and steps will be taken by the Senate and accreditation to put them in place in their various missions around the world,” Oshodi said, ending the long period of uncertainty that has surrounded the issue.
The delay in appointing ambassadors has sparked significant debate both within Nigeria and abroad, especially considering the fact that Nigeria has been without permanent diplomatic representation in many countries since the President’s first days in office. On September 2, 2023, just three months after Tinubu took office, he recalled all of Nigeria’s ambassadors, citing a need for a fresh start and new leadership in the country’s diplomatic missions.
The recall of these ambassadors has left Nigeria’s foreign missions operating without a permanent head, with various chargé d’affaires and consuls general temporarily filling in. Despite this, Oshodi emphasized that the foreign missions were not in dire straits, and Nigeria had managed its diplomatic functions with the assistance of acting diplomats.
“The foreign missions are not in dire straits. The president inherited missions that were not in great shape,” Oshodi explained. “So, things have to be put in shape and prepared for the ambassadors and their families, dignitaries, diplomats, etc.”
However, many Nigerians have questioned the prolonged delay. Former Ambassador to the Benin Republic, Lawrence Obisakin, and former Nigerian High Commissioner to Australia, Ayoola Olukanni, have publicly criticized the lack of action on ambassadorial appointments, particularly given the country’s central role in West African and global diplomatic affairs.
Obisakin remarked that the absence of appointed ambassadors had made Nigeria’s diplomatic footprint weaker, especially when compared to the ambassadors of other countries who continue to operate in the nation. “It is critical that Nigeria has representation at the highest levels in every part of the world. Our nation’s influence cannot grow when our missions remain rudderless for such long periods,” he said.
Similarly, Olukanni raised concerns about the absence of a clear diplomatic direction, noting that Nigeria’s international clout was significantly hampered by the lack of appointed leadership in embassies and high commissions. He called for urgency in filling the vacancies, stressing that Nigeria could not afford to appear passive or disorganized in the eyes of the international community.
While these concerns remain, Oshodi defended the President’s approach, suggesting that the delay was a result of careful planning and the need to address the challenges within the foreign ministry. “The President and his administration are focused on ensuring that things are in place for the ambassadors to hit the ground running when they are appointed,” Oshodi explained.
Notably, Oshodi pointed out that even under previous administrations, ambassadorial appointments were not always timely. He cited the example of the last administration, which took over 20 months to finalize ambassadorial appointments. “It’s not unique to this administration. As much as the ambassadors are key, I want to clearly state that even the last administration, without giving excuses, took 20 months for them to put ambassadors in place,” Oshodi stated, seemingly suggesting that the delay was within the norms of Nigerian political processes.
Despite these justifications, the lack of a permanent diplomatic team has undoubtedly had its implications. In addition to Nigeria’s diminished diplomatic presence, the delay has raised questions about President Tinubu’s commitment to fulfilling his administration’s foreign policy goals. For instance, key international agreements, collaborations, and high-level diplomatic events may have been affected by the absence of a solid diplomatic leadership structure.
The role of ambassadors is critical to the smooth functioning of any country’s foreign policy. They serve not only as the face of their nation abroad but also play a pivotal role in shaping the country’s foreign relations, economic diplomacy, and international reputation. Given Nigeria’s position as Africa’s largest economy and a key player in regional and global diplomacy, the need for timely and efficient ambassadorial appointments cannot be overstated.
While there are lingering questions about why the appointments have taken so long, President Tinubu’s administration is now looking forward to a revitalized diplomatic corps. Oshodi has promised that Nigerians will see the appointments soon, which could signal a renewed push for strengthening Nigeria’s international relations.
As the new ambassadors are soon to be named, many are hopeful that the appointment process will not only end the current diplomatic hiatus but also set the stage for a new era of Nigeria’s foreign relations under President Tinubu’s leadership.
