A former Nigeria foreign affairs minister criticises President Bola Tinubu’s approach to ambassadorial appointments and calls for more career diplomats to be named to foreign missions. In comments reported by Nigerian outlets, the ex-minister argues that officials who have built their careers within the diplomatic service are frequently overlooked in favour of political appointees. He says prioritising political considerations over professional experience can undermine morale among career staff and affect the effectiveness of Nigeria’s representation abroad.
The former minister urges the government to appoint more career ambassadors, framing the change as a way to recognise expertise and encourage dedicated officers within the foreign service. While the articles focus on the same broad concern—perceived underrepresentation of career diplomats—the coverage does not indicate any specific list of ambassadors, changes already made by the presidency, or responses from Tinubu or relevant government ministries. The reports largely present the criticism as a call for a shift toward competence-based postings for Nigeria’s diplomatic service.
