Tinubu to Appoint New Ambassadors as Trump Issues Warning to Nigeria
President Bola Tinubu is expected to conclude the long-awaited appointment of ambassadors to Nigeria’s foreign missions across the world after months of diplomatic vacuum and growing pressure over the absence of envoys in key global capitals.
Multiple Presidency sources who spoke to The PUNCH confirmed that the President had directed a “final cleanup” of the ambassadorial list to reflect updated information before it is officially released.
“It is going to be concluded very soon,” a senior Presidency official said on Monday, November 3, adding that the exercise was in its final stage.
‘Some Nominees Have Died or Retired’
According to top government insiders, the revision became necessary following changes that occurred since the list was first transmitted to the Senate for screening.
“They are just cleaning it up now because, since the time the President sent it to the Senate, some people on that list have died, and some have retired and are no longer eligible for appointment. Some of them have less than one year left in service,” one official explained.
He revealed that while the Senate had screened the earlier nominees, the final list must be updated to exclude those who have either passed away or left government service.
“The list of those screened has left the Senate long ago; it has been returned to the President,” he said.
Another Presidency source added that security and background clearances had been completed months earlier but needed to be revalidated due to the changes.
“The earlier list sent to the Senate is outdated. Some nominees have died, while others have taken up new appointments or opted out due to health reasons. The cleanup will ensure that the final list reflects only those still available and qualified,” the source stated.
Diplomatic Vacancies Persist Two Years After Envoys’ Recall
Naija News reports that the ambassadorial exercise comes two years after Tinubu recalled all ambassadors from Nigeria’s 109 foreign missions, including 76 embassies, 22 high commissions, and 11 consulates, as part of a “comprehensive diplomatic review.”
Since then, most missions have been run by chargés d’affaires or senior consular officers with limited authority to engage in formal negotiations or represent Nigeria at the highest levels.
A senior Foreign Service officer told journalists that the absence of ambassadors had weakened Nigeria’s international visibility.
“The truth is that most foreign governments do not accord the same level of respect to chargés d’affaires as they do to ambassadors. At a time like this, when Nigeria is facing multiple diplomatic demands, it is crucial to have full-fledged ambassadors in place,” he said.
Pressure Mounts Amid Trump’s Threat to Nigeria
Naija News reports that the renewed push for appointments comes amid diplomatic tension following former U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent threat to launch military action in Nigeria over alleged killings of Christians.
Trump had, in a post on Truth Social, claimed that Christianity faced “an existential threat” in Nigeria, warning that the United States might “go into that disgraced country, guns-a-blazing.”
“If the Nigerian Government continues to allow the killing of Christians, the U.S.A. will immediately stop all aid and may very well take direct action,” Trump wrote.
While government officials have dismissed the threat as “baseless,” senior Presidency sources told The PUNCH that the absence of Nigerian ambassadors abroad made communication and crisis management more difficult.
“That’s not to say the lack of ambassadors caused the recent issues with the United States, but their presence could have made communication smoother,” one senior aide explained.
“Foreign partners prefer engaging at the ambassadorial level, especially in moments of crisis or negotiation.”
Foreign Affairs Minister Meets Tinubu Over List
Naija News learnt that the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, is scheduled to meet with President Tinubu at the State House in Abuja on Tuesday, November 3, 2025, where the ambassadorial list is expected to feature prominently on the agenda.
A Presidency insider said: “When the President is ready to make that appointment, it will be made public. The Presidency will release an official statement very soon.”
In April 2025, reports had it that the Federal Government had completed security vetting and clearance for nominees but delayed the postings due to funding shortages and the need to balance political and professional considerations.
Officials estimated that over $1 billion was required to settle arrears owed to foreign service officers, replace aging diplomatic vehicles, renovate embassies, and fund operational overheads.
President Tinubu had earlier acknowledged the challenge of balancing political representation and merit.
“It’s not easy stitching those names,” the President told members of The Buhari Organisation, led by Senator Tanko Al-Makura, during a visit to the State House on September 2, 2025.
“I couldn’t appoint everybody at once. I still have some slots for ambassadorial positions that so many people are craving for,” he added.
With most foreign missions operating at limited capacity for more than two years, diplomats and analysts have welcomed the expected appointments as “long overdue.”
A former ambassador told journalists that the move could restore Nigeria’s global visibility and improve bilateral relations with key partners.
“Foreign representation is not symbolic it is strategic. The earlier the ambassadors are deployed, the better for Nigeria’s image and foreign policy interests,” The PUNCH quoted the former ambassador as saying.
As of press time, Presidency sources confirmed that the revised list was in its final review stage and could be released within days, ending a prolonged diplomatic vacuum in Nigeria’s foreign service.