By Joshua Tosin Ogunsakin 
President Bola Tinubu has forwarded a list of three ambassadorial nominees to the Senate for confirmation.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio made the announcement during plenary on Wednesday.
The nominees include 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 Tinubu’s letter.
Since taking office in 2023, President Tinubu has yet to appoint an ambassador, a situation that has drawn criticism.
After US President Donald Trump designated Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern, some commentators linked the action to the absence of appointed ambassadors.
In a September interview, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, Minister of Foreign Affairs, dismissed worries that Nigerian diplomatic missions were stalled.
“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 said.
Tuggar clarified that while an ambassador is the head of mission, other officers, including deputies and career diplomats, manage daily operations.
“Diplomacy is not a one-man show. The system is designed to cope with such situations,” he added.
He also noted that appointing ambassadors is the president’s prerogative and will happen 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,” Tuggar said.
The minister highlighted that Nigeria’s foreign policy continues to be pursued, with embassies facilitating trade, investment, consular services, and cultural exchanges.
“Nigerians abroad are still accessing services, and our engagement with host countries has not diminished,” he said.
Tuggar pointed out that other countries sometimes operate long periods without ambassadors in certain missions, without weakening diplomatic relations.
“This is not peculiar to Nigeria. Diplomacy provides for such scenarios. What matters is substance, not optics,” he said.
“Our foreign policy direction is clear, and our presence is felt globally. What we are doing is ensuring that our missions deliver tangible results for Nigerians, not just ceremonial appearances.”