President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has named three non-career ambassadors, marking the end of a more than two-year delay in such appointments.
The nominees are Kayode Are from Ogun State, Aminu Dalhatu from Jigawa State, and Ayodele Oke from Oyo State.On Wednesday, the president forwarded the list to the Senate for confirmation.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio, after reading Tinubu's letter, noted, "The list contains three names for now, I am sure others will follow."
The appointments come amid criticisms linking the absence of ambassadors to Nigeria's inclusion on the U.S. list of Countries of Particular Concern under former President Donald Trump.
In a September interview, Foreign Affairs Minister Yusuf Tuggar downplayed concerns about embassy operations, stating that chargés d'affaires and other diplomats have effectively managed responsibilities.
"All our embassies are functioning well. The absence of ambassadors has not created a vacuum," he said.
Tuggar emphasized that diplomacy relies on a structured chain of command, including deputies and career officers, ensuring continuity.
"Diplomacy is not a one-man show. The system is designed to cope with such situations," he explained.
He added that the president would appoint ambassadors at the appropriate time, while missions continue to advance Nigeria's foreign policy goals, including trade, investment, and consular services.
"Nigerians abroad are still accessing services, and our engagement with host countries has not diminished," Tuggar affirmed.
The minister pointed out that extended periods without ambassadors are common globally and do not necessarily harm diplomatic relations.
"What matters is substance, not optics," he concluded, highlighting Nigeria's ongoing international presence and focus on delivering results for citizens.
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