Prior to the expected announcement of the ambassadorial list, the Federal Government started sending consular officials to diplomatic posts across the globe.
In September 2023, 83 ambassadors were recalled; this action followed 14 months later. The 83 ambassadors, both career and non-career, were recalled from their positions in September 2023 as a result of a review of foreign policy following President Bola Tinubu’s inauguration; however, the appointment of successors has not yet occurred.
A change in diplomatic strategy was indicated by the envoys’ directive to return to Nigeria by October 31, 2023, which implied that the government was trying to reorient its international contacts to better serve the interests of the country.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Yusuf Tuggar had said the ambassadors served at the President’s behest in their host nations and that it was the President’s “prerogative to send or recall them from any country.”
Tuggar added that it was part of a strategy to realign Nigeria’s foreign engagements.
The recall was done but it left a diplomatic void as no replacements have been announced ever since.
