Sources within the Presidency revealed that the President had ordered a “final cleanup” of the list of nominees, which is expected to be released soon. These sources, who requested anonymity due to restrictions on commenting publicly, indicated that the final review would ensure the list reflects only eligible individuals, some of whom had been removed due to health reasons, death, or retirement.

“It is going to be concluded very soon,” said one senior official. “They are just cleaning it up now because some of those on the list have passed away, retired, or are no longer eligible due to age or time in service. The Senate already screened the list, and now it’s just a matter of updating it.”

According to the source, The President’s office had initially submitted the list to the Senate for vetting months ago, but since then, some nominees have been unable to proceed due to changes in their personal circumstances. With background security checks completed months ago, the final stage of verification should be completed quickly.

The push to finalize these appointments comes at a critical time, amid growing diplomatic tensions with the United States. Former U.S. President Donald Trump recently threatened military intervention in Nigeria over allegations of Christian persecution, claiming he had instructed U.S. Congress to investigate the issue and prepare for action if necessary.

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While the Nigerian government has not directly linked the ambassadorial vacancies to the recent diplomatic crisis, some officials argue that the absence of a full ambassadorial cadre has made communication and negotiations more difficult.

“That’s not to say the lack of ambassadors caused the recent issues with the U.S., but their presence could have made communication smoother,” one official noted. “Foreign partners tend to prefer engaging with ambassadors, especially in moments of crisis or negotiation.”

President Tinubu had previously acknowledged the complexity of balancing political and professional interests in the ambassadorial appointments. “It’s not easy stitching those names together,” he said during a meeting with members of The Buhari Organization on September 2, 2025. “I couldn’t appoint everyone at once. I still have some slots for ambassadorial positions that many people are vying for.”

The final decision on the ambassadorial appointments is expected soon, and diplomatic observers are eagerly awaiting the announcement as Nigeria works to strengthen its international relations during a time of rising tensions.

Source: Punch