President Bola Tinubu has not yet compiled a comprehensive list of ambassadorial nominees, despite having received their names several months ago. This means that Nigeria’s diplomatic positions with different countries and multilateral organisations are still pending.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has recently completed the task of gathering and submitting the names of potential diplomats to the President for review.
“We have collated everything on our part and forwarded it to Mr. President,” the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, confirmed to The Punch before Monday’s Federal Executive Council meeting.
Nevertheless, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, has confirmed to our correspondent that a meticulous process must be followed before the final list of nominations is made public. He discredited a circulating list, describing it as unreliable information.
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“There is no official list as of today. There is a list in circulation. That is fake news. The foreign affairs list will still go through certain processes before it is released.
“Don’t forget that the ambassadorial list has two components. There are career ambassadors and political ambassadors. So, whichever one they submit, it will still go through a long process.”
In November 2023, a high-ranking official from the ministry mentioned that they were in the process of compiling the names of new ambassadors.
It remains uncertain whether the nominees are political or career diplomats, but indications suggest that they are mostly from the latter category.
It is commonly understood that career diplomats advance in their profession based on their career progression, as advised by the foreign service. On the other hand, political diplomats are frequently individuals chosen by the President for their positions.
In December 2023, a high-ranking official in the nation’s foreign service, who spoke anonymously, stated that one of the individuals being considered for top diplomatic positions is Mr. Afolabi Adeola, the founder of Guaranty Trust Bank Plc, Punch reported.
Adeola has been chosen as Nigeria’s ambassador to one of the most influential economies globally.
According to a source, the president is already considering a list of recommended individuals.
“One of those I saw is Fola Adeola, the founder of GTB.
“He is being considered as the Nigerian Ambassador to one of the world’s top three economies.”
In addition to Adeola, The Punch reported on Tuesday that a Senior Special Assistant to the President, a former Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Olufemi Pedro, and the Speaker, Katsina House of Assembly, Tasiu Maigari, are also being considered for ambassadorial positions.
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Providing an explanation for the decision, the source highlighted that the Tinubu administration was determined to appoint experts and business leaders as its representatives in other countries.
“The President is reserving many of the slots for technocrats, people who have built a strong reputation in their respective fields and have built companies employing thousands of Nigerians. We need people who can use their influence to secure deals and partnerships for the benefit of their country.
“It is not a new thing. When choosing envoys, the most developed economies send their best hands for those jobs. And Tinubu is following that path.
“For example, Adeola is an investor and is not a strange face on the foreign scene or the global business community. He knows them, and they know him. And he is not the only one. You can see that this speaks of the administration’s pursuit of more Foreign Direct Investment,” said the source.
According to sources, Punch was informed that a committee was established by the Federal Government to suggest qualified individuals for the positions, outlining the process followed in compiling the nominees.
An anonymous source revealed that a committee was established to provide recommendations for both career and political ambassadors.
“You see, most of the career ambassadors already know they are next for appointments. But they don’t know to which country they will be sent. There are countries where Nigeria has delicate political interests. For these ones, the government usually sends political ambassadors.
“If you remember, President Buhari appointed his former service chiefs as ambassadors to some African countries.”
Nigeria maintains a wide network of diplomatic missions around the world, including embassies, high commissions, and consulates. In total, there are 109 missions, 76 embassies, 22 high commissions, and 11 consulates representing Nigeria globally.
In a recent development, President Bola Tinubu has made the decision to recall all career and non-career ambassadors who are currently serving in the country’s diplomatic missions, embassies, and consulates across the world.
In a recent statement, Nigeria’s Foreign Affairs Ministry confirmed the recall of the ambassadors. According to the Ministry, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, clarified that all career ambassadors and non-career ambassadors have been recalled on the instructions of President Bola Tinubu.
The envoys were instructed to come back to the country by October 31.
They consist of 41 non-career ambassadors and 42 career ambassadors who were appointed by former President Muhammadu Buhari in July 2020.
