TINUBU’S AMBASSADORIAL LISTS: WHY MANY NIGERIANS ARE DEEPLY DISAPPOINTED – By Olayinka Olatunbosun, Ph.D

The recently published ambassadorial list from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has sparked a wave of disappointment and anger among Nigerians, opposition parties, civil society, and diaspora watchers — not relief. What was meant to end a two-year diplomatic vacuum has instead revived fears about nepotism, political patronage, and a further erosion of Nigeria’s credibility on the world stage. 

Since September 2023, when Nigeria recalled all its envoys abroad, many missions have been headed by lower-ranking diplomats or chargé d’affaires — a stopgap that, critics argued, weakened the country’s diplomatic influence abroad. 

When Mr. Tinubu finally submitted a new list — 32 nominees in total (15 career, 17 non-career) — there was hope for a reset. Instead, for many, the list confirmed worst fears about how far the administration’s priorities had drifted from competence to cronyism. 

A central flashpoint is the inclusion of the immediate past chairman of the electoral body, Mahmood Yakubu. His tenure at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) — which oversaw the controversial 2023 general elections — remains deeply disputed. Critics argue placing him in a diplomatic role so soon is tantamount to rewarding electoral misconduct. 

Opposition voices see this as part of a broader pattern: “disgraced propagandists, government apologists, characterless politicians,” as one statement described the nominees. Names previously associated with political loyalty rather than proven diplomatic credentials — including former governors, political aides, and known controversial figures — have been criticised as unfit to serve as Nigeria’s representatives abroad. 

For many Nigerians, this isn’t just poor judgment — it’s a betrayal of trust. As one prominent civil-society lawyer put it, it feels like the “same people who contributed to Nigeria’s destruction” are being sent to be the country’s face abroad. 

Critics argue the ambassadorial list signals that for this administration, diplomacy has become a tool of political reward rather than a serious endeavour aimed at restoring Nigeria’s global standing. 

Moreover, longtime diplomatic watchers warn that appointing individuals with “integrity deficits” risks undermining Nigeria’s credibility. As the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) put it, “appointing and sending ambassadors with tainted political profiles … is a setup for a diplomatic all-time low.” 

Given that some of these nominees may be posted to key capitals and international organisations, critics worry the appointments could further damage Nigeria’s global image — at a time when the world is watching. 

Not all voices oppose the list. The President’s senior aide on foreign affairs, Ademola Oshodi, insists the selections “reflect good judgment” and serve the interest of Nigeria. 

But for many Nigerians — from citizens on social media to opposition parties and human rights groups — the list feels like a missed opportunity. After years of diplomatic neglect, what was expected to be a strong reset has turned into a spectacle of nepotism and entitlement. 

WHAT THIS MEANS FOR NIGERIA’S FUTURE ABROAD

• Diplomatic Reputation at Risk: Sending ambassadors tainted by controversy could erode Nigeria’s moral authority and hinder its ability to influence global affairs.

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• Public Trust Undermined: For a populace already cynical about politics, rewarding political loyalty over merit feeds disillusionment with institutions.

• Opportunity Cost: Talented career diplomats, possibly better suited to represent Nigeria, may be sidelined — dampening long-term capacity to engage internationally.

• Precedent for Reward Politics: If confirmed, these appointments could solidify a pattern wherein political service — not competence — becomes the main qualification for national representation.

CONCLUSION

What Nigerians need now is not a list of ambassadors crafted to reward political loyalties — but a cadre of credible, experienced, and principled envoys capable of restoring respect for the nation. As things stand, the latest submissions from President Tinubu risk doing just the opposite: eroding what little trust remains, and signaling that diplomacy has become yet another instrument of domestic politics.

Dr. Olatunbosun was the Labour Party Candidate in Ife East Local Government for the Osun State House of Assembly election in 2023.