Tasks before Nigeria’s new ambassadors

Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been buzzing with activities in the recent past. Since November 2025, the ministry has been involved in the nomination of career ambassadors and the induction of about 65 ambassadors recently appointed by President Bola Tinubu. In March 2026, in adherence to the President’s charge for all ministers and aides nursing political ambitions to resign, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, was among those who voluntarily resigned. We learnt he wants to vie for the governorship seat in his home state of Bauchi. And just last week, President Tinubu upgraded Minister of State, Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu to the substantive position of Minister of Foreign Affairs. She’s the third female to occupy that prestigious office after Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala (2006) and Prof. Joy Ogwu (2006–2007).

Information garnered from the website of the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs says, “Nigeria, as a significant player on the international stage, maintains a vast network of diplomatic missions worldwide. Missions serve as crucial channels for fostering bilateral relations, promoting trade and investment, and protecting the interests of Nigerian citizens abroad. The country has a global diplomatic presence in 109 missions, consisting of 76 embassies, 22 high commissions and 11 consulates.

For three years, Nigeria had no substantive ambassadors in all our foreign missions, leaving our embassies and high commissions at the mercy of the deputy chief of mission, better known as deputy ambassadors. At the top of the excuse given by the Presidency was the lack of funds to run the embassies. Eventually, after some US lawmakers and government officials accused the Tinubu administration of Christian genocide in Plateau and Benue States in October 2025, the President rushed to announce three names as ambassador nominees. They were Kayode Are (Ogun), Aminu Dalhatu (Jigawa), and Ayodele Oke (Oyo). Thereafter, more nominations were made, and about 65 in total went through Senate screening and confirmations in December 2025.

The nominations were not without some criticisms. The appointment of ex-Aviation Minister, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, former presidential aide, Reno Omokri, and former chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, drew criticism from a section of the Nigerian public. Another sore point in the nomination exercise was the inclusion of late Senator Adamu Talba, who passed away in July 2025, on a list of ambassadorial nominees sent to the Senate in December 2025, according to reports from Peoples Gazette. The incident prompted questions regarding the efficacy of background checks on the appointees. The president was further excoriated for nominating non-career ambassadors to plum ‘Grade A’ countries in Europe and America while sending career ambassadors to mostly African countries where their expertise may not be fully utilised.

According to an online source, there are 195 countries in the world as of 2026. This total consists of 193 member states of the United Nations and 2 non-member observer states: the Holy See (Vatican City) and the State of Palestine; out of these, Nigeria has only deployed to 65 countries (31 career diplomats and 34 non-career appointees). This is about one-third of the world. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported that as of late April this year, 33 ambassadors had secured formal “agrément” (clearance) from their host countries, with 32 still awaiting approval. In my own opinion, I had thought some of the ambassadors could have been asked to supervise two or more countries. For instance, for the West Africa sub-region, we could have two ambassadors, one for anglophone countries like Sierra Leone, Gambia, and Ghana, while the other one supervises francophone countries.

Who is actually an ambassador, and why is it important to have them in our foreign missions? An ambassador is the highest-ranking diplomat and official envoy representing their home country or organisation in a foreign nation. Stationed in a foreign capital, they represent their head of state and government, fostering diplomatic relations, protecting citizen interests, and communicating policy. They negotiate, communicate policies, maintain positive relationships, and provide for the security of their country’s personnel. Ambassadors and their staff typically receive diplomatic immunity.

As it is customary in diplomatic circles, the ambassadors-designate were taken through induction courses last week. On Monday, April 27, 2026, President Bola Tinubu, represented by the Secretary to the Federal Government, Senator George Akume, enjoined the envoys to “aggressively pursue foreign investments, strengthen strategic partnerships and reposition the country in global affairs.” He noted that the global system is undergoing rapid transformation driven by shifting geopolitical dynamics, economic uncertainties, technological disruptions, climate challenges and emerging security threats. “The international system is evolving rapidly. We must be prepared to meet these challenges by focusing on how best to protect and promote Nigeria’s national interest,” the president said.

He urged the envoys to “adopt a modern, results-oriented approach to diplomacy, combining traditional methods with digital engagement, public diplomacy and strategic communication.” Tinubu also stressed the need to project Nigeria’s story effectively while highlighting the achievements of his administration’s renewed hope agenda.

He charged the diplomats to be “proactive and innovative in fostering partnerships, promoting trade and attracting foreign direct investment and technology to Nigeria.”

The President said safeguarding the welfare of Nigerians in the diaspora must remain a top priority. He further announced that Nigeria’s foreign policy framework, known as the “4D doctrine”, would be reordered from democracy, development, demography and diaspora to demography, development, diaspora and democracy. “This re-ordering has put the Nigerian people at the centre of our foreign policy agenda and is aimed at harnessing outcomes for their maximum benefit,” he said. He noted the need for professionalism, integrity and patriotism in diplomatic service, adding that envoys are not only government representatives but also custodians of Nigeria’s image abroad. “You have a special responsibility in helping to reposition Nigeria in global affairs. The world is watching,” Tinubu said. He emphasised accountability, urging missions to be result-driven, prudent in resource management and guided by clear, measurable goals that contribute to economic growth and national development.