Amanze Chinonye
President Tinubu has commenced what officials describe as a phased diplomatic reset, approving the posting of just four ambassador-designates to strategic foreign missions, weeks after the Senate confirmed a full list of 68 nominees, Prime Business Africa reports.
The limited rollout, announced in a statement by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, signals a more measured and priority-driven approach to Nigeria’s foreign deployments, after nearly three years of ambassadorial vacancies in key capitals.
The four envoys approved for immediate posting are assigned to the United States, France, the United Kingdom and Turkey countries widely regarded as central to Nigeria’s current diplomatic, economic and security engagements.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelThose named are Colonel (Rtd) Lateef Kayode Are (United States), Ambassador Ayodele Oke (France), Ambassador Amin Dalhatu (United Kingdom) and Usman Isa Dakingari Suleiman (Turkey).
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Presidency sources said the decision to begin with only four postings reflects the administration’s intention to align ambassadorial deployments with immediate foreign policy priorities, including trade negotiations, security cooperation, investment attraction and upcoming high-level bilateral engagements.
In particular, the posting of Mr Suleiman to Turkey comes ahead of anticipated diplomatic engagements between Abuja and Ankara, while the deployment to Washington, London and Paris is expected to strengthen Nigeria’s engagement with long-standing Western partners amid global economic realignments.
President Tinubu has directed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to notify the host countries formally, in line with diplomatic protocol, ahead of the ambassadors’ accreditation.
The Senate had confirmed all 68 nominees in December 2025, raising expectations of a sweeping deployment. However, analysts say the staggered approach may allow the government to manage funding constraints, logistics and strategic focus, rather than deploying all envoys at once.
Further postings from the confirmed list are expected in subsequent phases as the administration recalibrates Nigeria’s diplomatic footprint for 2026.
Amanze Chinonye is a Staff Correspondent at Prime Business Africa, a rising star in the literary world, weaving captivating stories that transport readers to the vibrant landscapes of Nigeria and the rest of Africa. With a unique voice that blends with the newspaper's tradition and style, Chinonye's writing is a masterful exploration of the human condition, delving into themes of identity, culture, and social justice. Through her words, Chinonye paints vivid portraits of everyday African life, from the bustling markets of Nigeria's Lagos to the quiet villages of South Africa's countryside . With a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the complexities of Nigerian society, Chinonye's writing is both a testament to the country's rich cultural heritage and a powerful call to action for a brighter future. As a writer, Chinonye is a true storyteller, using her dexterity to educate, inspire, and uplift readers around the world.
