Nigeria has started screening candidates to lead its more than 100 diplomatic missions. Official appointments are expected soon, sources familiar with the process said. This comes 18 months after President Bola Tinubu recalled all ambassadors, leaving the country without diplomatic representation since September 2023.
Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation, plays a key role in the fight against insurgencies in West Africa. However, the absence of ambassadors has raised concerns about its foreign relations. The minister of foreign affairs had previously blamed financial constraints for the delay. Now, a senior government official says the issue is being addressed, and appointments will follow soon.
Security agencies are conducting background checks on potential candidates. They have begun sharing their findings with the presidency and legislature, according to an intelligence official. A spokesperson for the presidency referred questions to the foreign affairs ministry, which declined to comment. Officials involved in the process, who requested anonymity, confirmed that an announcement is imminent.
Since taking office in May 2023, Tinubu has focused on fixing Nigeria’s economy, putting foreign policy on hold. A former ambassador, who served in Africa and the U.S., said the issue has come up in Tinubu’s meetings with world leaders. He added that senior government officials have assured him that new ambassadors will be appointed soon.
To support its foreign missions, Nigeria has allocated 302.4 billion naira ($198.30 million) in its current budget. The new appointments aim to restore diplomatic ties, strengthen economic partnerships, and boost Nigeria’s influence in global affairs.