The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has warned Nigerians to ignore a fake list of ambassadorial nominees being circulated on social media.
In a statement issued on Sunday by the ministry’s spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa, the ministry clarified that no ambassadorial appointments had been made. It stressed that the responsibility for appointing ambassadors lies solely with President Bola Tinubu.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs wishes to inform the general public to kindly disregard the fake list of ambassadorial nominees currently in circulation on some social media platforms,” the statement said.
“The ministry wishes to state unequivocally that the appointment of ambassadors is the prerogative of Mr President, and no such appointments have been made in that regard. The purported list should, therefore, be discountenanced.”
Nigeria has a total of 109 diplomatic missions worldwide, including 76 embassies, 22 high commissions, and 11 consulates.
In September 2023, President Tinubu recalled all ambassadors from these missions, both career and non-career, in line with plans to restructure the nation’s diplomatic corps.
The ministry confirmed the recall, stating, “Sequel to the inquiries on the letter recalling the Nigerian ambassador to the UK, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, has clarified that all career and non-career ambassadors have been recalled on the instructions of President Bola Tinubu.”
All recalled ambassadors were required to return to Nigeria by October 31, 2023. This recall included the 41 non-career and 42 career ambassadors appointed by former President Muhammadu Buhari in July 2020.
Over a year after this recall, no new ambassadors have been appointed or deployed to represent Nigeria in other countries. This delay has left several of Nigeria’s foreign missions without appointed leaders.
