President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has forwarded a list of three individuals nominated for ambassadorial positions to the Senate.
Tinubu is seeking the Senate to screen and confirm the trio.
This was made known by the Senate President Godswill Akpabio during plenary on Wednesday.
The nominees are Kayode Are from Ogun State, Aminu Dalhatu from Jigawa and Ayodele Oke.
“The list contains three names for now, I am sure others will follow,” Akpabio said after reading the letter from President Bola Tinubu.
Recall that in an interview in September, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, Minister of Foreign Affairs, dismissed concerns that diplomatic missions were paralysed without appointed envoys.
“All our embassies are functioning well. The chargé d’affaires in each mission is carrying out responsibilities effectively. The absence of ambassadors has not created a vacuum”, he had said.
He explained that an ambassador is the head of mission, but the diplomatic chain of command includes deputies, counsellors and career officers who handle daily operations.
“Diplomacy is not a one-man show. The system is designed to cope with such situations,” he stated.
Tuggar noted that the appointment of ambassadors is strictly the president’s prerogative and will be made in due course.
“Mr President is considering the matter, and when the time is right, names will be announced. Meanwhile, our missions are not idle,” he had said.
The minister added that Nigeria’s foreign policy objectives were still being pursued, with embassies facilitating trade, investment, consular services and cultural exchanges.
According to him “Nigerians abroad are still accessing services, and our engagement with host countries has not diminished”.
