- …As Tinubu nears end of term
- …Envoys risk rejection
…It’s a diplomatic blunder, ADC says
Nigeria’s diplomatic landscape has been thrown into fresh controversy following
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s approval of the posting of 65 ambassadors to
foreign missions worldwide. Associate Editor LATEEF BAMBGOSE, and Senior
Reporter JIBRIN NDANUSA write that, while the Presidency presents the move
as a routine step to strengthen international engagement, critics argue it raises
serious procedural and strategic concerns at a sensitive stage of the
administration,
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s approval of the posting of 65 ambassadors-
designate to Nigeria’s foreign missions has triggered intense political and
diplomatic debate, with opposition voices warning that the move could expose the
country to international embarrassment.
The postings, announced on Friday, include 31 non-career ambassadors and 34
career diplomats whose nominations were confirmed by the Senate in December
2025.
In a statement issued by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and
Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the Presidency said the appointments cover various
bilateral and multilateral missions, including Nigeria’s representation at the United
Nations.
Among the non-career ambassadors, Senator Grace Bent was posted to Togo,
while former presidential aide Senator Ita Enang will serve in South Africa. Victor
Ikpeazu was assigned to Spain, and Nkechi Linda Ufochukwu to Israel.
Others include Mahmoud Yakubu to Qatar, Paul Oga Adikwu to the Vatican City,
Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (retd.) to the Philippines, and Reno Omokri to
Mexico.
Also on the list are Abasi Braimah to Hungary, Angela Adebayo to Portugal,
Olumilua Oluwayimika Ayotunwa to Japan, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi to Greece, and
Chioma Priscilla Ohakim to Poland.
Aminu Dalhatu was posted to the United Kingdom, while former Minister of
Interior, Lt. Gen. Abdulrahman Bello Dambazau (retd.), will represent Nigeria in
China. Tasiu Musa Maigari was assigned to The Gambia and Olufemi Pedro to
Australia.
Further postings include Muhammed Ubandoma Aliyu to Argentina, Lateef
Kayode Are to the United States, Joseph Sola Iji to Russia, and Senator Jimoh
Ibrahim as Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations.
Former Aviation Minister Femi Fani-Kayode was posted to Germany, while
former Health Minister Prof. Isaac Folorunso Adewole will serve in Canada.
Fatima Florence Ajimobi was assigned to Austria, Lola Akande to Sweden,
Ayodele Oke to France, and Yakubu N. Gambo to Saudi Arabia.
Other appointees include Senator Prof. Nora Ladi Daduut to South Korea, Onueze
Chukwujika Joe Okocha (SAN) to Ireland, Kulu Haruna Abubakar to Tunisia, and
Jerry Samuel Manwe to Trinidad and Tobago.
In addition to the political nominees, the government also announced the
deployment of 34 career diplomats to missions across Africa, Europe, Asia and the
Americas. Their postings include Côte d’Ivoire, Niger, Algeria, Egypt, Jamaica,
Zambia, Mali, Italy, Mozambique, India, Senegal, Ghana, Ethiopia, the
Netherlands, Morocco, Malaysia, Tanzania, Kenya, Belgium, Switzerland,
Namibia, Gabon, Sierra Leone, Sudan and Thailand, among others.
The Presidency disclosed that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has already received
agrément from the United Kingdom for the High Commissioner-designate,
Ambassador Aminu Dalhatu. France has also granted agrément for Ambassador
Ayodele Oke.
According to the statement, the ministry has forwarded the nominations of the
remaining 62 envoys to their respective host countries, requesting the required
diplomatic consent in line with established international practice.
President Tinubu has also directed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to immediately
commence an induction programme for the ambassadors-designate and High
Commissioners.
However, the announcement has attracted criticism from the opposition African
Democratic Congress, ADC, which described the process as a diplomatic misstep.
The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, argued that
publicly announcing the postings before securing agrément from host countries
contradicts standard diplomatic protocol and could expose Nigeria to unnecessary
embarrassment.
Citing Article 4 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, Abdullahi said
a sending state is required to obtain the consent of the receiving state before
formally announcing the appointment of a head of mission.
“Requests for agrément are a foundational principle of international diplomacy and
are typically conducted discreetly through diplomatic channels,” he said.
“By announcing these postings first and only afterwards requesting consent, the
government has effectively put the cart before the horse. It suggests a lack of
understanding of the basic protocols governing diplomatic relations.”
The ADC spokesman also questioned why only 65 ambassadors were announced
for Nigeria’s approximately 109 diplomatic missions worldwide, leaving 44
missions without designated envoys.
According to him, the government’s silence on the remaining missions raises
concerns about the future of Nigeria’s diplomatic presence abroad.
“What happens to the other 44 missions? Are they to remain vacant indefinitely
while Nigeria’s global diplomatic footprint shrinks at a time of rising geopolitical
uncertainty?” he asked.
Abdullahi further criticised the delay between the Senate confirmation of the
ambassadors in December and the current request for agrément, describing it as
evidence of administrative inefficiency.
He warned that host countries retain the right to reject nominated envoys after
conducting their own background checks, noting that the agrément process is
normally handled discreetly to avoid diplomatic embarrassment in the event of
rejection.
The ADC also argued that the development comes at a politically sensitive time,
noting that President Tinubu has less than two years remaining in his current term.
“With just about 449 days left in office, this administration risks becoming the first
in Nigeria’s history that could not effectively appoint and deploy ambassadors at a
time when the country needs strong representation in global affairs,” Abdullahi
said.
Beyond the opposition’s criticism, the postings have also sparked mixed reactions
on social media, particularly over some high-profile appointments.
The nomination of former Aviation Minister Femi Fani-Kayode as ambassador to
Germany has generated considerable debate online, with some commentators
urging the President to reconsider the posting.
Despite the controversy, the Presidency insists the process is proceeding in
accordance with diplomatic procedures and that the ambassadors-designate will
soon undergo induction before assuming their duties once agrément is secured
from their host countries.
