The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has announced that Nigeria’s newly appointed ambassadors will assume their foreign postings in 2026, following their recent confirmation by the National Assembly.
Speaking at an end-of-year media briefing in Abuja on Monday, the minister said the diplomatic appointments are intended to bolster Nigeria’s bilateral relations and reposition the country strategically on the global stage.
“In 2026, again, our newly appointed ambassadors will take up their posts in their countries of assignment. Of course, their clearance and confirmation have just been made by the National Assembly,” he said.
Idris noted that the appointments were in response to widespread calls for Nigeria to fill long-vacant ambassadorial positions.
“Before this time, we have had cries, complaints and agitations for ambassadors to be put on their posts. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has fulfilled that,” he added.
Idris explained that while some processes in the deployment have already been concluded, the remaining formalities would be completed in the coming year.
“For the remaining part, that will be carried out in 2026,” he stated.
He further stressed that the diplomatic postings would deepen Nigeria’s engagement across various sectors globally and advance national interests abroad.
The announcement follows the recent confirmation of 67 ambassadorial nominees by the Senate. The list includes prominent political figures and seasoned diplomats.
Among those confirmed are:
Femi Fani-Kayode, former Minister of Aviation
Reno Omokri, ex-aide to President Goodluck Jonathan
Abdulrahman Dambazau, former Minister of Interior
Ita Enang, former presidential aide
Grace Bent, ex-senator
Mahmood Yakubu, former INEC Chairman
Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, former Governor of Enugu State
Okezie Ikpeazu, former Governor of Abia State
The confirmed list consists of 34 career diplomats and 30 non-career ambassadors, following a thorough screening process conducted by the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs.