The Federal Government has begun deploying consular officers to embassies worldwide, a move seen as an interim measure before the announcement of new ambassadors.
According to The PUNCH, this comes 14 months after the recall of 83 ambassadors in September 2023, a decision made following a reassessment of foreign policy under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
The recall, which included career and non-career diplomats, was part of a strategy to realign Nigeria’s international engagements.
However, the delay in appointing successors has left a leadership vacuum in key diplomatic missions, raising concerns over the nation’s global presence.
Ambassadors were required to return to Nigeria by October 31, 2023, but since then, no replacements have been announced. In April 2024, the government appointed 12 consuls-general and five chargés d’affaires to represent Nigeria in 14 countries.
While these appointments ensured basic operations continued, the absence of substantive ambassadors has hindered high-level diplomatic engagements.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Yusuf Tuggar, acknowledged earlier this year that financial constraints were delaying ambassadorial appointments, suggesting the funds might be included in a supplementary budget.
This echoes similar delays during former President Muhammadu Buhari’s tenure, where ambassadorial appointments took up to 20 months.
Critics argue that prolonged vacancies in these critical roles may harm Nigeria’s reputation, with international partners potentially perceiving the delays as instability or disengagement from global affairs.
Despite the absence of ambassadors, consular officers are being deployed to various missions.
Speaking anonymously, a senior government official confirmed postings to countries like Malaysia, Spain, and Brazil, where President Tinubu recently participated in the G20 Summit. Some officers have already reported to their new posts, while others are scheduled to leave by the end of November.
One official revealed that replacements were brought in from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to fill local roles as consular officers were deployed abroad. Another noted that these postings were part of routine assignments.
Retired diplomats and foreign policy experts have expressed concerns over the prolonged ambassadorial vacancies.
Amb. Ogbole Amedu-Ode, a former Nigerian envoy to Mexico, criticized the extended absence of substantive heads at missions, linking it to funding challenges within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Similarly, Amb. Rasheed Akinkuolie, a former Consul to Cameroon, emphasized the need for resident ambassadors to engage with host governments at the highest levels.
He suggested funding diplomatic missions through dedicated dollar accounts at the Central Bank of Nigeria, separate from domestic ministry operations.
Opposition parties have criticized the Tinubu administration for its handling of foreign affairs.
The People’s Democratic Party described the situation as a reflection of ineptitude, with Deputy National Youth Leader Timothy Osadolor stating, “The current situation speaks volumes about the indifference and inefficiency of this government.”
Labour Party National Publicity Secretary Obiora Ifoh also lamented the lack of a clear foreign policy vision, questioning the government’s commitment to appointing qualified diplomats.
He argued that the absence of ambassadors undermines Nigeria’s ability to attract foreign investments and engage effectively on the international stage.
Both parties called on the government to prioritize the appointment of ambassadors and adequately fund the country’s missions abroad to safeguard Nigeria’s diplomatic standing.
While the deployment of consular officers may offer temporary relief, experts agree that substantive ambassadorial appointments are critical for restoring Nigeria’s influence and credibility in global diplomacy.
