President Bola Tinubu has forwarded the names of three ambassador-nominees to the Senate for screening his first such submission since recalling all Nigerian envoys over two years ago. Senate President Godswill Akpabio announced the nominees during Wednesday’s plenary. They are:
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- Kayode Are (Ogun)
- Aminu Dalhatu (Jigawa)
- Ayodele Oke
Akpabio noted that more names are expected in subsequent batches.
Tinubu had withdrawn all ambassadors in September 2023, just four months into his tenure, as part of a sweeping plan to overhaul Nigeria’s foreign missions. But since then, no replacements were made, leaving embassies to be steered by charge d’affaires with limited diplomatic authority.
The delay has drawn criticism, especially as Nigeria pushes for foreign investment, security alliances, and improved global standing. Foreign Affairs Minister Yusuf Tuggar had blamed the lag on economic disruptions triggered by subsidy removal and currency floatation.
Tensions escalated further after U.S. President Donald Trump recently designated Nigeria a “Country of Particular Concern,” intensifying debates about the country’s diminished diplomatic presence.
With Wednesday’s submissions, the administration has taken its first real step toward rebuilding its diplomatic corps and reasserting Nigeria’s presence across the world.
