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Tinubu Set To Appoint New Ambassadors Amid Trump’s Threat To Nigeria
President Bola Tinubu is expected to conclude the long-awaited appointment of ambassadors to Nigeria’s foreign missions across the world after months of diplomatic vacuum and growing pressure over the absence of envoys in key global capitals.
Multiple Presidency sources who spoke to The PUNCH confirmed that the President had directed a “final cleanup” of the ambassadorial list to reflect updated information before it is officially released.
“It is going to be concluded very soon,” a senior Presidency official said on Monday, November 3, adding that the exercise was in its final stage.
According to top government insiders, the revision became necessary following changes that occurred since the list was first transmitted to the Senate for screening.
They are just cleaning it up now because, since the time the President sent it to the Senate, some people on that list have died, and some have retired and are no longer eligible for appointment. Some of them have less than one year left in service,” one official explained.
He revealed that while the Senate had screened the earlier nominees, the final list must be updated to exclude those who have either passed away or left government service.
“The list of those screened has left the Senate long ago; it has been returned to the President,” he said.
Another Presidency source added that security and background clearances had been completed months earlier but needed to be revalidated due to the changes.
“The earlier list sent to the Senate is outdated. Some nominees have died, while others have taken up new appointments or opted out due to health reasons. The cleanup will ensure that the final list reflects only those still available and qualified,” the source stated.
Diplomatic Vacancies Persist Two Years After Envoys’ Recall
Naija News reports that the ambassadorial exercise comes two years after Tinubu recalled all ambassadors from Nigeria’s 109 foreign missions, including 76 embassies, 22 high commissions, and 11 consulates, as part of a “comprehensive diplomatic review.”
Since then, most missions have been run by chargés d’affaires or senior consular officers with limited authority to engage in formal negotiations or represent Nigeria at the highest levels.
A senior Foreign Service officer told journalists that the absence of ambassadors had weakened Nigeria’s international visibility.
“The truth is that most foreign governments do not accord the same level of respect to chargés d’affaires as they do to ambassadors. At a time like this, when Nigeria is facing multiple diplomatic demands, it is crucial to have full-fledged ambassadors in place,” he said.
Naija News reports that the renewed push for appointments comes amid diplomatic tension following former U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent threat to launch military action in Nigeria over alleged killings of Christians.
Trump had, in a post on Truth Social, claimed that Christianity faced “an existential threat” in Nigeria, warning that the United States might “go into that disgraced country, guns-a-blazing.”
“If the Nigerian Government continues to allow the killing of Christians, the U.S.A. will immediately stop all aid and may very well take direct action,” Trump wrote
While government officials have dismissed the threat as “baseless,” senior Presidency sources told The PUNCH that the absence of Nigerian ambassadors abroad made communication and crisis management more difficult.
“That’s not to say the lack of ambassadors caused the recent issues with the United States, but their presence could have made communication smoother,” one senior aide explained.
“Foreign partners prefer engaging at the ambassadorial level, especially in moments of crisis or negotiation.”
Naija News learnt that the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, is scheduled to meet with President Tinubu at the State House in Abuja on Tuesday, November 3, 2025, where the ambassadorial list is expected to feature prominently on the agenda.
A Presidency insider said: “When the President is ready to make that appointment, it will be made public. The Presidency will release an official statement very soon.”
In April 2025, reports had it that the Federal Government had completed security vetting and clearance for nominees but delayed the postings due to funding shortages and the need to balance political and professional considerations
Officials estimated that over $1 billion was required to settle arrears owed to foreign service officers, replace aging diplomatic vehicles, renovate embassies, and fund operational overheads.
President Tinubu had earlier acknowledged the challenge of balancing political representation and merit.
“It’s not easy stitching those names,” the President told members of The Buhari Organisation, led by Senator Tanko Al-Makura, during a visit to the State House on September 2, 2025.
I couldn’t appoint everybody at once. I still have some slots for ambassadorial positions that so many people are craving for,” he added.
With most foreign missions operating at limited capacity for more than two years, diplomats and analysts have welcomed the expected appointments as “long overdue.”
A former ambassador told journalists that the move could restore Nigeria’s global visibility and improve bilateral relations with key partners.
Foreign representation is not symbolic it is strategic. The earlier the ambassadors are deployed, the better for Nigeria’s image and foreign policy interests,” The PUNCH quoted the former ambassador as saying.
As of press time, Presidency sources confirmed that the revised list was in its final review stage and could be released within days, ending a prolonged diplomatic vacuum in Nigeria’s foreign service.
Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has approved the payment of a 13th-month pension bonus to all pensioners in the state, as well as a one-off welfare support of N10,000 in November 2026.
Speaking at the Ibom Hall grounds in Uyo on Friday, during the presentation of a merit award by the State Council of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners and an endorsement of his second-term bid, Eno said pensioners deserved to rest well after their meritorious service to the state.
Eno said he was particularly impressed by the pensioners’ sense of gratitude and assured them that the state government, under his leadership, would continue to prioritise the welfare of pensioners and elderly citizens.
He said, “This is indeed humbling to me. It shows that you are truly technocrats with a laudable sense of organisation. You may be retired but not tired. I celebrate and appreciate you greatly.
“I am now directing that N10,000 be added to the November 2026 pension payment of every pensioner in support of your welfare.”
He urged them to enrol in the state’s health insurance scheme, which he said was free for people aged 65 and above, to enable them to enjoy quality healthcare.
Eno recalled that he had promised to clear the backlog of gratuities, adding that N100bn had so far been paid from the accumulated N111bn owed since 2012. He assured the pensioners that the outstanding balance would be cleared before the end of his first term.
He commended President Bola Tinubu for making funds available to states, saying this had enabled him to fulfil his promise to clear the gratuity arrears.
Eno called on the pensioners to vote massively for Tinubu in the 2027 elections, saying this would ensure the continued availability of funds for the prompt payment of gratuities and pensions, as well as other welfare packages.
He also urged pensioners from Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District to vote for the re-election of the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio.
Responding, the National President of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners, Comrade Mazi Godwin Ikechukwu Abumisi, commended Eno for what he described as his compassion and care for pensioners in the state.
Abumisi also praised Eno’s leadership and development efforts and urged pensioners across the state to support his second-term bid in 2027.
Earlier, in his welcome remarks, the State Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners, Pastor Sylvester Nkodo, thanked Eno for his leadership, saying his commitment to the welfare of elderly people and retired public servants was heartwarming.
“Governor Umo Eno is a true leader with the heart for humanity who deserves prayers and support from the people. I urge pensioners to support his administration,” he said.
The National Assembly has confirmed that 28 State Houses of Assembly have approved the proposed establishment of state police in Nigeria, paving the way for the constitutional amendment bill to be transmitted to President Bola Tinubu for assent.
According to the Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana, the 28 approvals exceed the two-thirds majority required under Section 9 of the 1999 Constitution, which translates to 24 states. The National Assembly can therefore proceed with the next stage of the process towards presidential assent.
The bill was forwarded to the 36 state assemblies on September 16, 2026, for consideration, with October 15 initially set as the deadline for them to communicate their decisions. Ogunlana, however, said his office would continue to receive and verify reports from the assemblies ahead of the bill’s transmission to Tinubu.
The 28 states that have approved the proposed establishment of state police are listed below:
Adamawa
Delta
Edo
Kwara
Nasarawa
Ogun
Osun
Oyo
Plateau
Rivers
Taraba
Zamfara
Enugu
Anambra
Imo
Ekiti
Kebbi
Akwa Ibom
Bayelsa
Benue
Cross River
Abia
Yobe
Kaduna
Lagos
Kano
Sokoto
Ebonyi
A new political prediction has emerged ahead of the 2027 presidential election, with a state-by-state electoral map showing the states former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi are projected to win.
The prediction, published by Statecraft, outlines the expected performance of the three major political figures across Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
According to the prediction, Tinubu is projected to win 15 states and the FCT, Atiku is expected to secure nine states, while Obi is tipped to emerge victorious in 12 states.
The map, which uses orange, blue and white colours to distinguish the three presidential contenders, provides a breakdown of the states each candidate is projected to win.
States Tinubu Is Projected to Win
According to the prediction, Tinubu is expected to win.
The FCT is also included in Tinubu’s projected victories.
States Atiku Abubakar Is Projected to Win
The former vice president is projected to win nine states.
States Peter Obi Is Projected to Win
Meanwhile, Obi is projected to secure 12 states.
The breakdown suggests a competitive presidential contest, with the three political figures projected to command support across different regions of the country.
Interestingly, the prediction places Tinubu ahead with 15 states and the FCT, followed by Obi with 12 states and Atiku with nine states.
However, it is important to note that the map represents Statecraft’s political prediction and not an official election result, an opinion poll or a declaration by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The actual outcome of the 2027 presidential election will be determined by voters when Nigerians head to the polls.
The prediction has also raised questions about the possible political realignments, regional voting patterns and factors that could shape the contest in 2027.
JUST IN: Nigerian Gov Approves 13th-Month Bonus
Full List: 28 States That Approved State Police
