President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is set to transmit names of ambassadors-designate to the Senate for screening and confirmation, The PUNCH reports.
According to The PUNCH, the list comprises nominees who will serve as Nigeria’s Ambassadors and High Commissions to various countries and multilateral organizations.
Government officials with knowledge of the developments told our correspondent that names of nominees would be transmitted in early December, the report stated.
Recall that 83 Ambassadors were recalled in September 2023. And 14 months after, there have not been any posting by the Government.
According to reports, Nigeria has 109 Missions, 76 Embassies, 22 High Commissions and 11 Consulates globally.
The PUNCH reported on November 21, 2024, that the Federal Government had commenced the deployment of consular officers to diplomatic missions worldwide. This was before the anticipated release of the ambassadorial list.
A source revealed that the list would have been presented to the National Assembly, but the travels of Mr. President.
President Tinubu, alongside his wife, on Wednesday, left Abuja for a three-day state visit to France. They are going on the invitation of President Emmanuel Macron.
Afterwards, he is expected in South Africa for a state visit. The visit will make it his second appearance in the country after attending President Cyril Ramaphosa’s inauguration ceremony last June.
Recall that upon assumption of office in May 2023, President Tinubu reassessed Nigeria’s foreign policy. A development that led to the recall of the 83 career and non-career ambassadors from their stations.
The envoys were instructed to return to Nigeria by October 31, 2023.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, said the ambassadors served at the President’s behest in their host nations. He noted that it was his “prerogative to send or recall them from any country.”
However, 14 months later, they were yet to be replaced, leaving a diplomatic void.
Section 171(2)(1c) and Subsection 4 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) stipulate that appointments to the office of ambassador, high commissioner or other principal representatives of Nigeria abroad be made by the President and shall not have effect unless the Senate confirms it.
On March 25, Tuggar confirmed that the ministry had compiled and forwarded the names of prospective career diplomats to the President for consideration.
source: PUNCH
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