BREAKING: Tinubu Sends First Ambassadorial Nominees to Senate After 2 Years of Delay

The long-awaited ambassadorial appointments moved a step forward on Wednesday after President Bola Tinubu transmitted a three-man list of envoy nominees to the Senate, ending nearly two years of criticism over Nigeria’s diplomatic representation abroad.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio read Tinubu’s letter at plenary, formally unveiling the nominees, Kayode Are (Ogun State), Aminu Dalhatu (Jigawa), and Ayodele Oke.

“The list contains three names for now, I am sure others will follow,” Akpabio said after reading the letter from President Tinubu, adding, “I am certain others will follow in due course.”

The Senate thereafter directed the nominees’ profiles to the Committee on Foreign Affairs for screening ahead of confirmation.

Since Tinubu assumed office in 2023, no ambassadorial appointment had been confirmed, a gap critics blamed for weakening Nigeria’s foreign posture at a time insecurity, banditry, and kidnappings escalated nationwide.

Diplomatic backlash peaked when the United States Department of Stateiplomacy, united states”]Donald Trump designated Nigeria a Country of Particular Concern, triggering nationwide debate on diplomatic negligence.

Responding to the mounting uproar, Minister of Foreign Affairs Yusuf Tuggar had in September dismissed claims that missions collapsed due to the absence of appointed envoys.

“All our embassies are functioning well,” Tuggar said. “The chargé d’affaires in each mission is carrying out responsibilities effectively. The absence of ambassadors has not created a vacuum.”

He explained that ambassadors head missions but operate within a larger diplomatic structure that includes deputies, counsellors, and career officers handling daily operations.

“Diplomacy is not a one-man show. The system is designed to cope with such situations,” the minister said firmly.

Tuggar also repeated that long gaps between ambassadorial appointments are not unique to Nigeria.

“This is not peculiar to Nigeria. Diplomacy provides for such scenarios. What matters is substance, not optics,” Tuggar said, adding that diplomatic chains are built to withstand transitions.

“Diplomacy is not a one-man show. The system is designed to cope with these scenarios without breaking rank.”

The minister further assured that embassies continue to facilitate trade, deliver consular services, and drive investment despite the absence of confirmed envoys.

“Gas is safe when handled responsibly…” Tuggar continued a similar logic here, explaining security violence arises not from the substance but from negligence and unlawful operations.

“Nigerians abroad are still accessing services, and our engagement with host countries has not diminished… What we are doing is ensuring that our missions deliver tangible results for Nigerians, not just ceremonial appearances.”

Onanuga’s statement welcoming the submission said the President remains committed to restoring Nigeria’s diplomatic momentum.

The nominees’ confirmation process is scheduled to begin immediately as the Senate moves to restore “boots on the ground”, in diplomatic form, not military form, across foreign missions.