Ademola Oshodi, President Bola Tinubu’s Senior Special Adviser on Foreign Affairs and Protocol, has stated that the President will announce his ambassadors in the coming weeks. Speaking during Channels Television’s 2024 Year-In-Review program on Sunday, Oshodi dismissed criticisms over the delay, pointing out that the previous administration took 20 months to appoint ambassadors.
The delay has drawn attention, with former Ambassador to the Benin Republic, Lawrence Obisakin, and former High Commissioner to Australia, Ayoola Olukanni, criticizing the 16-month gap since Tinubu recalled all Nigerian ambassadors. On September 2, three months into his presidency, Tinubu recalled over 100 career and political ambassadors without yet nominating replacements for Senate approval.
Oshodi defended the delay, explaining that the President has been working to improve the state of Nigeria’s foreign missions before new ambassadors are appointed. He noted that many missions inherited by the Tinubu administration were in poor condition and required significant preparation to accommodate diplomats and their families.
He added that interim officials, such as chargé d’affaires and consul generals, have been deployed to manage affairs at various missions ahead of the ambassadors’ appointments. Oshodi emphasized that the process is a priority for the administration and reassured that the announcement would come soon.
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