ABUJA: President Bola Tinubu is reportedly preparing to appoint ambassadors to key foreign missions in the coming weeks, according to top sources at the presidency.
The move comes more than two years after the administration recalled envoys from 76 embassies, 22 high commissions, and 11 consulates worldwide in September 2023 to reassess Nigeria’s foreign policy.
Sources said the delay in appointing substantive envoys has weakened Nigeria’s diplomatic presence, particularly in strategic countries like the United States, at a time of rising international attention on domestic issues, including allegations of targeted violence against Christians.
“The final process is almost completed. The President is committed to making the appointments, and the announcement will come in the next few weeks.
Only ambassadors to major countries will be appointed, a senior presidency aide told Sunday
Part of the holdup, insiders reveal, relates to the $1 billion required to cover arrears, operational costs, and embassy renovations.
The 2025 federal budget earmarked N2.1 billion for ambassadorial entitlements and another N53 billion for the refurbishment of 103 foreign missions, including chanceries, staff quarters, and vehicles. A total of $54 million was released earlier in the year to support embassy operations.
Foreign Affairs Minister Yusuf Tuggar had warned that posting envoys without adequate resources would be counterproductive.
Meanwhile, the House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs has summoned Tuggar and heads of missions over utilisation of the 2025 allocations, highlighting scrutiny over potential mismanagement of funds.
Tinubu’s focus on diplomatic appointments coincides with rising political tension at home, particularly within the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Last weekend, the PDP expelled former Rivers State Governor and FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, and several other prominent members over alleged anti-party activities at the party’s National Convention in Ibadan.
However, Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang publicly distanced himself from the expulsion, stressing that the matter was never discussed by the PDP Governors’ Forum or the party’s National Executive Committee, and warning that expelling key figures could deepen divisions rather than solve the party’s internal crisis.
Political analysts note that both Tinubu’s pending ambassadorial appointments and the PDP crisis reflect the growing interplay between Nigeria’s foreign policy priorities and domestic political stability.
The government faces the challenge of ensuring credible representation abroad while navigating an increasingly fractious political landscape at home.
Presidency sources say the ambassadorial list will be released before the end of November, completing the final cleanup process that considered retirements, deaths, and eligibility of nominees.
Observers emphasize that the appointments to major countries are critical for strengthening Nigeria’s international profile and advancing strategic interests.
Meanwhile, the PDP’s internal challenges suggest a long road ahead for the opposition party, as stakeholders debate the impact of expelling influential leaders on its unity and electoral prospects.
