The Federal Government has begun deploying consular officers to Nigeria’s diplomatic missions abroad, signaling an imminent release of a comprehensive ambassadorial list. This move comes 14 months after the recall of 83 ambassadors in September 2023.
Following President Bola Tinubu’s inauguration, the government ordered the withdrawal of both career and non-career diplomats to realign Nigeria’s foreign policy. By October 31, 2023, all recalled ambassadors had returned to Nigeria, marking a pivotal shift in the country’s diplomatic strategy. According to Foreign Affairs Minister Yusuf Tuggar, the recall was part of broader efforts to redefine Nigeria’s international engagements. He stated, “The ambassadors serve at the President’s behest. It is his prerogative to send or recall them.”
The delay in appointing new ambassadors, attributed primarily to funding constraints, left leadership gaps in key missions and drew criticism from foreign policy experts. In April 2024, the government appointed 12 consuls-general and five chargés d’affaires to manage administrative duties in 14 countries, but these measures were deemed insufficient for high-level diplomatic engagements. Former Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Ambassador Eche Abu-Ode suggested that new ambassadorial appointments might depend on supplementary budget approvals.
Diplomats have warned that the prolonged delay could damage Nigeria’s international reputation. Experts noted similar delays during the Buhari administration, where it took up to 20 months to finalize appointments. A Ministry of Foreign Affairs official expressed frustration over the lack of updates, saying, “There is silence on the issue. Nobody knows what’s going on.”
Meanwhile, consular officers have been deployed to various countries, including Malaysia, Spain, and Brazil, where President Tinubu recently attended the G20 Summit. A senior government official confirmed, “Some officers have already assumed their roles, while others will depart later this month.”
As Nigeria awaits a full ambassadorial list, the diplomatic community is advocating for reforms to address ongoing challenges. While the deployment of consular officers provides a temporary fix, experts stress the urgency of decisive action to maintain Nigeria’s influence on the global stage.
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