The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has dismissed circulating lists of ambassadorial nominees as false, reiterating that appointments are solely the President’s responsibility.
In a statement issued on Sunday by its spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa, the ministry clarified that no ambassadorial appointments have been made, stressing that the list circulating on social media is “fake.”
The statement stated, “The appointment of ambassadors is the prerogative of Mr. President, and no such appointments have been made in that regard.”
This clarification follows a wave of rumors about potential diplomatic postings.
President Bola Tinubu had recalled all career and non-career ambassadors on September 2, 2023, including 41 non-career and 42 career ambassadors who were appointed by former President Muhammadu Buhari in 2020.
In the statement, the Ministry confirmed that these ambassadors were instructed to return to Nigeria by October 31, 2023, and that their replacements have yet to be announced.
“The purported list should, therefore, be discountenanced,” the Ministry’s message added. With over a year passing since the recall, questions continue to swirl around the delay in new appointments, as diplomatic missions worldwide remain temporarily without full leadership.