President Bola Tinubu’s long‑awaited ambassadorial list has triggered scathing criticism across Nigeria, with several critics accusing the administration of prioritizing loyalty and political reward over merit and foreign policy experience.
The president, who dilly-dallied over the appointments for well over two years since taking office in May 2023, finally forwarded 32 names to the Senate for screening and confirmation last Thursday.
The nominations, which include former governors, ex‑ministers, and political allies, including one Reno Omokri, who in 2023 staged a protest in London accusing the then candidate Tinubu to be a “drug lord” have been met with sharp disapproval from analysts, activists, and former diplomats.
Critics argue that the list reflects a patronage system rather than a serious attempt to strengthen Nigeria’s diplomatic presence abroad.
Amadi: “A Political Reward System”
Dr. Sam Amadi, Director of the Abuja School of Social and Political Thought, described the list as a political reward system.
Speaking on Arise News, he said Tinubu views governance through the lens of politics, rewarding loyalty and payback rather than competence.
“The president sees an appointment through the lens of politics. He looks at political value, payback and political use. If you work for him, you get rewarded. He loves loyalty,” Amadi said.
He criticized the nomination of former INEC Chairman Mahmood Yakubu, arguing that it sends a message that electoral manipulation is rewarded.
“Even if he rigged the election for you, you have to pretend. This presidency doesn’t care about optics, morality or people’s views,” he added.
Amadi dismissed assumptions that ambassadors will significantly influence Nigeria’s foreign policy, describing many postings as wasteful.
He argued that only career officers should be sent to strategic missions such as Geneva, New York, and Addis Ababa.
Onochie: “Solidly in Bed with Nepotism”
Former presidential aide Lauretta Onochie accused Tinubu of nepotism and regional imbalance. In a post on X, she claimed the distribution of slots heavily favored the South‑West, listing:
- South‑South — 3
- North‑West — 5
- North‑Central — 5
- North‑East — 5
- South‑East — 6
- South‑West — 11
She also alleged that some nominees had mobilized hostility against the Buhari administration yet were now rewarded with ambassadorial positions.
Baba‑Ahmed: Senate Must Scrutinize Nominees
Former Special Adviser to Tinubu on Political Matters, Hakeem Baba‑Ahmed, urged the National Assembly to thoroughly vet the nominees.
Speaking on Channels Television, he said national interest must trump politics and ethnicity.
“There are a few of these nominees that require more rigorous scrutiny in terms of their background, integrity, and records. I hope the National Assembly will do what it is supposed to do and do it well,” he said.
Keshi: Senate Will Not Surprise Nigerians
Former diplomat Ambassador Joe Keshi expressed little faith in the Senate’s screening process, warning that Nigerians should not expect rigorous interrogation.
He frowned at the practice of allowing nominees to “take a bow” without proper scrutiny, especially those with strong political ties.
Keshi also faulted the piecemeal release of the list, saying it creates unnecessary controversy.
He argued that rewarding former governors who performed poorly in office undermines Nigeria’s global image.
While acknowledging that some nominees are capable, he lamented that many career officers in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs were overlooked.
Effiong: “Rewarding Criminality and Misdeeds”
Activist and lawyer Inibehe Effiong, didn’t spare the list either. Reacting by a post on his X handle, he condemned the appointments as a travesty, saying it rewards individuals who contributed to Nigeria’s decline.
He singled out Mahmood Yakubu’s nomination as particularly upsetting, describing him as “discredited” after overseeing the disputed 2023 election.
“No country on earth has prospered through a shambolic, corrupt and discredited leadership recruitment process,” Effiong wrote.
The backlash reflects deep public frustration with Nigeria’s political culture, where appointments are often seen as compensation for loyalty rather than merit.
For critics, the ambassadorial list reflects not only Tinubu’s political style but also the absence of a coherent foreign policy direction. As Amadi put it, “Nigeria has no serious foreign policy commitment… this list illustrates that this president doesn’t even pretend to have one.”
The Nigerian senate is just about the time of this report screening the nominees.
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