The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has confirmed that Nigeria’s newly appointed ambassadors will take up their postings abroad in 2026, following confirmation by the National Assembly.
Idris made the announcement on Monday during the end-of-year press briefing in Abuja, stressing that the deployments would strengthen Nigeria’s bilateral relations and enhance the country’s global profile.
“In 2026, our newly appointed ambassadors will assume duty in their countries of assignment. Their clearance and confirmation by the National Assembly have just been concluded,” Idris said.
He added that the appointments were in response to public demands for active diplomatic representation, noting that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had acted promptly to address the concerns.
“Previously, there were complaints and agitations for ambassadors to be posted. President Tinubu has fulfilled that request,” the minister said. He added that while some aspects of the deployment process have been completed, the remaining steps will be finalised next year.
Read Also: FULL LIST: Tinubu’s 64 ambassadorial nominees confirmed by Senate
Idris highlighted that the ambassadorial postings would advance Nigeria’s diplomatic engagements, protect national interests, and strengthen the country’s international standing.
Last week, the Senate confirmed 64 ambassadorial nominees, including prominent figures such as former Minister of Aviation Femi Fani-Kayode, and ex-presidential aide Reno Omokri. The confirmation followed a report by the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, which deemed all nominees suitable for appointment.
The confirmations came two days after three non-career ambassadorial nominees — Lateef Kayode Are (Ogun), Aminu Dalhatu (Jigawa), and Emmanuel Ayodele Oke (Oyo) — were cleared, bringing the total to 67.
The confirmed ambassadors include a mix of career and non-career diplomats, such as former Minister of Interior Abdulrahman Dambazau; former Special Adviser on New Media, Reno Omokri; ex-senator Grace Bent; former INEC chairman Mahmood Yakubu; and former governors Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu) and Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia).
In total, 34 career ambassadors and high commissioners and 30 non-career ambassadors and high commissioners were confirmed. The postings mark a crucial step in filling long-vacant diplomatic positions and repositioning Nigeria’s missions following the mass recall of envoys in 2023.
