Nigeria to Appoint New Diplomats After Long Absence of Ambassadors

Nigeria’s government is vetting candidates for ambassadorial positions, expecting new appointments soon, 18 months after all ambassadors were recalled. Budget constraints delayed these appointments, but official assurances suggest resolution is forthcoming. The focus of the current administration has been on economic reforms rather than foreign policy.

The Nigerian government has initiated the vetting process for potential candidates to head its diplomatic missions, with new ambassador appointments anticipated shortly. This development follows an 18-month period during which all ambassadors were recalled by President Bola Tinubu. Nigeria, as Africa’s most populous nation and an essential ally in the fight against Islamist groups, has functioned without ambassadors since September 2023.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs previously attributed the delay in appointing new diplomats to budgetary constraints. However, a government source indicated that resolutions are underway, suggesting an announcement about the new appointments will be imminent. Security services are currently conducting background checks on prospective diplomats and sharing findings with relevant agencies.

Since President Tinubu’s accession to power in May 2023, addressing Nigeria’s economic challenges has been his primary focus, relegating foreign policy issues. According to a former ambassador, discussions regarding the lack of ambassadors have occurred between Tinubu and foreign leaders, resulting in assurances that new appointments will be made soon. The government has allocated 302.4 billion naira (approximately $198.30 million) for the functioning of its foreign missions this year.

In summary, Nigeria is preparing to appoint new ambassadors following an extensive period without diplomatic representation. The government is addressing budgetary concerns while conducting thorough vetting of candidates. Diplomatic engagements are deemed critical to Nigeria’s foreign relations, yet the current administration has prioritized economic recovery over foreign policy.

Original Source: www.usnews.com