Tinubu Set to Approve New Ambassadorial Appointments Amid Rising U.S. Diplomatic Pressure
Story: written by Myra November 4,2025
President Bola Tinubu is reportedly finalizing the long-awaited appointment of new ambassadors to Nigeria’s foreign missions, a move aimed at restoring full diplomatic representation abroad after months of vacancy complaints.
According to The Punch, senior presidential aides confirmed that the President has ordered a final review of the ambassadorial list after learning that some previously screened nominees were no longer eligible for deployment — with several either retired, deceased, or nearing the end of their service years.
Though the Senate had already screened the initial nominees, the list was sent back to the Presidency for updates to reflect those still qualified. Security clearances had been completed months earlier, but factors such as ill health, fresh appointments, and retirements necessitated a comprehensive re-evaluation.
Foreign service officials who spoke to The Punch emphasized the importance of restoring ambassador-level engagements, especially as Nigeria faces increased international diplomatic challenges.
The renewed urgency follows mounting U.S. pressure after former President Donald Trump issued threats of military action over allegations of Christian persecution in Nigeria. While sources said the absence of ambassadors did not directly spark the diplomatic tension, they admitted that the situation might have been better handled if fully accredited envoys were in place.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, is expected to meet with President Tinubu at the State House today (Tuesday) to discuss the ambassadorial list and other foreign policy matters.
Earlier in April, reports indicated that financial constraints had stalled the process, with over $1 billion required to clear arrears, repair embassies, and replace outdated infrastructure across Nigeria’s diplomatic missions.
President Tinubu has repeatedly acknowledged the difficulty of balancing political loyalty with merit-based selections in diplomatic postings. Officials close to the matter told The Punch that the final list would likely be made public soon after the President gives his approval.
Promote Your Brand on SpringNewsNG Nigeria!
Reach over 40 million monthly readers and grow your business, music, or brand for just ₦8,000 per post.
Have a story, opinion, or feature? Get featured for only ₦10,000 per post.
Visit SpringNewsNG.com to get started today
