President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has sent a three-man list of ambassadorial nominees to the Nigerian Senate for confirmation. Senate President Godswill Akpabio announced the submission at plenary on Wednesday.

The nominees are Kayode Are from Ogun State, Aminu Dalhatu from Jigawa, and Ayodele Oke. “The list contains three names for now; I am sure others will follow,” Akpabio said after reading the president’s letter.

Since assuming office in 2023, President Tinubu had not appointed ambassadors, a situation that attracted criticism. Some observers linked the delay to Nigeria being blacklisted as a Country of Particular Concern by the United States, though the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, dismissed such concerns.

Speaking in September, Tuggar explained that while an ambassador is the head of mission, embassies are run by a chain of command including deputies, counsellors, and career officers. “All our embassies are functioning well. The absence of ambassadors has not created a vacuum,” he said. Tuggar emphasized that the appointment of ambassadors is the president’s prerogative and will be made in due course, noting that Nigeria’s foreign policy objectives continue to be pursued through trade, investment, consular services, and cultural exchanges.