Ambassadors return: Tinubu sends 35 names to Senate

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00:00After more than two years without permanent ambassadors, President Bola Tudubu has finally

00:07moved to refill Nigeria's empty diplomatic seats. On November 26, 2025, he sent the first three

00:15names to the Senate, including postings to the United States, United Kingdom and France.

00:21Request for confirmation of appointees or request for confirmation of appointments

00:28of non-career ambassadors designated.

00:34In accordance with the provisions of section 171 subsection 1 and 2

00:40C and 4 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended, I am pleased to present

00:50for confirmation by the Senate. They underlisted three nominees first.

00:55Just three days later, he forwarded another 32 nominees, a mix of 15 career diplomats and 17

01:02non-career heavyweights. Among them, former governors Ifeany Oguaye and Ocasey Piazzo,

01:10ex-Minister Femi Fanikayode, senator Jimo Ibrahim, ex-presidential aide Reno Omokri,

01:18and even former INET chairman Mahmoud Yakubo. So why the long vacuum? When Tsunubu took office in May 2023,

01:27he recalled virtually all ambassadors for a comprehensive diplomatic review.

01:33That review dragged on for over two years, crippled by funding shortages, a crashing Naira, unpaid

01:40salaries, admissions, and the delicate politics of balancing merit with patronage. The result?

01:47Nigeria's 109 embassies, high commissions, and consulates were run by junior charges, the affairs,

01:54weekly trade talks, visa negotiations, and Nigeria's voice on the global stage.

02:00Now, with these 35 names and more promised soon, President Tsunubu says the era of quality diplomacy

02:09has begun. But for a country that prides itself as Africa's giant, the question remains,

02:17can Nigeria afford to stay off the diplomatic pitch for this long again?

02:22This is Nigeria's Diplomatic Reset. Two years in the making.

02:34This is Nigeria's Diplomatic Reset. Three years in the making.