President Bola Tinubu’s administration is set to forward a new list of ambassadorial nominees to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs next week, a move that has already triggered controversy within diplomatic and political circles. Sources say the State House will transmit the list for formal processing.
Insiders claim that about 95 percent of career ambassadors have been assigned to African countries, while political appointees are reportedly being posted to Europe, Asia, the Middle East and the Americas. Critics describe the arrangement as misguided, arguing that seasoned diplomats should be deployed to strategic global locations where Nigeria’s national interests require stronger representation.
A top source described the policy as a “dumb idea,” questioning why experienced career diplomats would be concentrated in Africa at a time when Nigeria faces heightened global scrutiny, including from the United States under President Donald Trump. The source argued that the country should prioritise expertise in key international capitals.
The list, obtained by SaharaReporters, excludes prominent supporters of the Tinubu administration such as former Aviation Minister Femi Fani-Kayode and former presidential aide Reno Omokri. However, sources said Omokri may be nominated for Spain while Fani-Kayode could be posted to Germany once the list is formally processed.
Amid the backlash, a former ambassador, Ogbole Amedu Ode, stated that ambassadorial appointments remain the prerogative of the president. He noted that postings are guided by recommendations and that Africa remains central to Nigeria’s foreign policy, even as concerns persist over perceived politicisation and dissatisfaction among career diplomats.
