𝐓𝐢𝐧𝐮𝐛𝐮 𝐦𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐭 𝐧𝐞𝐰 𝐚𝐦𝐛𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐚𝐝𝐨𝐫𝐬 𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐝 𝐔𝐒 𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧

President Bola Tinubu is finalising the appointment of new ambassadors to Nigeria’s foreign missions after months of vacancies and growing pressure over the absence of envoys abroad, sources close to the Presidency have confirmed.

Senior officials disclosed that the President ordered a “final cleanup” of the nominee list ahead of its release, following deaths, retirements, and ineligibility among earlier nominees.

According to one source, “The cleanup is necessary to ensure that only qualified nominees remain. Some earlier candidates have died, retired, or taken new roles.”

The ambassadorial exercise, stalled for months after Senate screening, comes more than two years after Tinubu recalled all ambassadors from Nigeria’s 109 foreign missions for a “comprehensive diplomatic review.”

Since then, most embassies have operated under chargés d’affaires, limiting Nigeria’s diplomatic influence. “Foreign governments don’t give the same regard to chargés d’affaires as ambassadors,” a senior Foreign Service officer explained.

The move to conclude appointments follows renewed diplomatic tension sparked by former U.S. President Donald Trump’s comments threatening military action in Nigeria over alleged persecution of Christians.

Presidency sources confirmed that Foreign Affairs Minister Yusuf Tuggar is expected to meet with Tinubu at the State House today to discuss the final list of nominees, after which an official statement is expected.

Earlier reports indicated that the appointments had been delayed by funding challenges, including arrears of foreign officers and embassy renovations estimated at over $1bn.