The Federal Government has completed the vetting of individuals nominated for ambassadorial positions in Nigeria’s foreign missions but is yet to transmit the final list to the National Assembly for approval.
Sources within the Presidency confirmed that background and security checks, led by the Department of State Services (DSS) and other relevant agencies, have been completed for all the nominees. The names were expected to be released earlier this week, but as of Friday, April 5, the list had not yet been sent to the legislature.
According to a top government official who spoke under the condition of anonymity, “They have finished the DSS checks. That part is done. In fact, we were expecting the names to be out by yesterday or earlier than that. But so far, it looks like the President still needs a little more time.”
Another source added, “The names were supposed to be out earlier than yesterday (Wednesday). We’re not sure where the delay is coming from.”
The delay may be connected to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s ongoing working visit to Paris, France. The trip, which began on April 2, is intended for the President to assess the performance of his administration so far and plan for his second year in office.
According to a statement by Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, the President is using the visit to “review ongoing reforms and engage in strategic planning” for the administration’s second anniversary.
This working visit has possibly pushed back the timeline for transmitting the ambassadorial nominations to the Senate.
Since September 2023, Nigeria has operated without ambassadors in its 109 foreign missions, including 76 embassies, 22 high commissions, and 11 consulates. This is due to the recall of over 83 career and non-career ambassadors as part of President Tinubu’s reassessment of Nigeria’s foreign policy under his “4Ds” strategy—Democracy, Development, Demography, and Diaspora.
The absence of envoys has created a diplomatic vacuum in many Nigerian missions abroad, affecting bilateral engagements, visa processing, and consular services for Nigerians in the diaspora.
In December 2023, sources close to the Presidency indicated that Tinubu had reviewed a preliminary list of nominees during the holiday season, with intentions to send the final list to the National Assembly by year-end. However, by January 2024, it became evident that the process had stalled once again.
Multiple Presidency and Foreign Ministry insiders have blamed the delay not only on strategic review but also on financial constraints. It is estimated that nearly $1 billion is needed to fund the full operations of Nigeria’s foreign missions—this includes paying staff arrears, renovating embassy buildings, replacing vehicles, and settling other capital expenses.
“You see, the major issue is money. Not money to pay them [ambassadors], because how much is their salary and benefits? The main money is capital expenditure. By the time they put the cost together to fix the issues, it is running to almost $1 billion,” one senior government source said.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, confirmed this in a ministerial briefing, stating, “It is a money problem. There is no point in sending out ambassadors if you do not have the funds for them to even travel to their designated country and run the missions effectively. Mr. President is working on it, and it will be done in due course.”
Once the President submits the list to the National Assembly, the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs will begin the screening process. This includes assessing the nominees’ diplomatic experience, understanding of Nigeria’s foreign policy, and ability to represent the country’s interests abroad.
After the committee’s report, the full Senate will vote to confirm or reject each nominee. Confirmed ambassadors will undergo orientation sessions organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where they will learn about Nigeria’s international goals, the culture and policies of their assigned countries, and expected conduct.
Following orientation, ambassadors will receive Letters of Credence—official documents signed by the President—and will present these to the heads of state or government in their host countries. Only then can they officially take up their diplomatic duties.
Sources have also linked the delay to ongoing edits to the final list of nominees. A Presidency official said, “There are some last-minute changes to be made. Once names like these are released, it becomes embarrassing for the government to start changing and apologising. If you pick someone who turns it down, it could embarrass the President.”
Officials say the President is being cautious to avoid public embarrassment and ensure only suitable and committed individuals make the final cut.
Another source close to the foreign service disclosed that President Tinubu is personally hesitant about the ambassadorial appointments because of the cost involved.
“He feels the money could be used for more pressing issues at home, such as domestic reforms. But there’s also international pressure—from the diplomatic community, the diaspora, and other stakeholders—to fill these posts,” the official said.
With security vetting concluded and pressure building from both within and outside the country, the ball is now in President Tinubu’s court. The nation awaits the final list of ambassadors, which may define how Nigeria engages with the rest of the world during the remainder of Tinubu’s term.
Mr. Onanuga confirmed that both career and political ambassadorial nominations are being compiled into one consolidated list.
“Don’t forget that the ambassadorial list has two components. There are career ambassadors and political ambassadors. The foreign affairs and consolidated list will still go through certain processes before it is released,” he said.
Until the list is submitted and ambassadors are deployed, Nigeria’s foreign missions will continue to operate without substantive heads, limiting the country’s diplomatic reach and responsiveness.
