Photo File: President Bola Tinubu

President Bola Tinubu has forwarded the names of three ambassadorial nominees to the Senate for screening and confirmation, more than two years after recalling Nigeria’s envoys from over 100 foreign missions. The nominations were announced on Wednesday during plenary by the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio.

The nominees are Kayode Are from Ogun State, Aminu Dalhatu from Jigawa State, and Ayodele Oke. Akpabio noted that the list currently contains only three names, adding that more are expected to follow.

Tinubu had recalled all ambassadors in September 2023, four months after assuming office, to overhaul Nigeria’s foreign missions. Since then, the embassies have been overseen by chargés d’affaires, limiting Nigeria’s full diplomatic representation.

In April, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, disclosed that a list of nominees had been with the President for over a year, attributing the delay to economic disruptions from fuel subsidy removal and the naira float.

The delay had drawn criticism, especially as Nigeria seeks stronger foreign investment, trade and security partnerships. Concerns also intensified recently following diplomatic tensions with the United States after President Donald Trump designated Nigeria a “Country of Particular Concern.”

Wednesday’s move marks the first concrete step toward restoring Nigeria’s full diplomatic presence since the mass recall.