Index to Nigerian Newspapers

President Bola Tinubu is set to finalize the long-awaited appointment of ambassadors to Nigeria’s 109 foreign missions after months of delays and diplomatic gaps. According to multiple presidency sources, the President ordered a “final cleanup” of the list of nominees to replace those who have died, retired, or become ineligible since the initial submission to the Senate. Although the Senate had screened the original nominees, revisions became necessary due to deaths, ill health, and other disqualifications. The cleanup aims to ensure only qualified candidates remain, with the process expected to be completed within a week. The move follows Tinubu’s September 2023 decision to recall all ambassadors for a comprehensive diplomatic review, leaving most missions managed by chargés d’affaires with limited authority. The absence of ambassadors has reportedly weakened Nigeria’s diplomatic engagement, especially amid rising international tensions, including recent controversial remarks by former U.S. President Donald Trump about Nigeria. The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, is expected to brief Tinubu on the finalized list for imminent announcement.