Fresh controversy has emerged over the planned ambassadorial appointments by the administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as the Federal Government prepares to forward a new list of nominees for diplomatic postings.

Government sources revealed that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Nigeria is expected to receive the list next week for processing ahead of eventual confirmation and deployment.

However, the proposed postings have reportedly triggered discontent within Nigeria’s diplomatic community.

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According to insiders familiar with the development, about 95 per cent of career ambassadors are expected to be posted to African countries, while non-career political appointees may be assigned to Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and the Americas.

Speaking to Sahara Reporters, some diplomatic sources criticised the arrangement, describing it as ill-advised.

One government source said the decision could undermine Nigeria’s diplomatic interests at a time of heightened global tensions.

“What a dumb idea for President Bola Tinubu’s government to send 95% of career ambassadors to African countries and all non-career political ambassadors to Europe, Asia, Middle East, North and South America,” the source said.

The source added that with global geopolitical tensions rising and Nigeria attracting increased international scrutiny, the country should deploy its most experienced diplomats to strategic locations.

“At a time when Nigeria is under the eyes of President Trump and global flashpoints are boiling, is this not the moment to send well-trained and seasoned diplomats to promote and protect our valued national interests in strategic locations?” the source added.

Sources also noted that two prominent supporters of the administration – Femi Fani-Kayode and Reno Omokri – were not included in the list currently circulating within diplomatic circles.

However, insiders said they could still be nominated during the final stage of the process.

According to one source, Omokri may be considered for posting to Spain, while Fani-Kayode could be assigned to Germany once the list is formally processed.

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The perceived prioritisation of political loyalists for strategic foreign postings has reportedly generated resentment among career diplomats.

Some officials in the foreign service believe their professional expertise is being sidelined in favour of political considerations.

“Diplomacy has never been the focus of this Tinubu administration,” one source said.

The source added that deploying experienced diplomats to key global capitals would better protect Nigeria’s national interests and strengthen its international influence.

Reacting to the controversy, a former Nigerian ambassador to Mexico and Singapore, Ogbole Amedu Ode, said the appointment and posting of ambassadors ultimately remain the constitutional prerogative of the president.

According to him, such decisions are typically based on recommendations from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

“These people are appointed based on the recommendation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The President has that prerogative, and he would have all the information about their background, their capacity, and their capabilities,” he said.

He added that diplomatic postings are guided by station charters, which outline the objectives an ambassador is expected to achieve within a specific period.

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Ode also noted that the concentration of career ambassadors in Africa could reflect Nigeria’s longstanding diplomatic doctrine.

“Africa is the centrepiece of our foreign policy,” he said.

Sources said the preliminary list of ambassadorial postings includes the following designations:

Amb. Odumah Yvonne Ehinosen – Malabo, Equatorial Guinea

Amb. Nwabiola Ezenwa Chukwumeka – Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire

Besto Maimuna Ibrahim – Niamey, Niger

Monica Okwuchukwu Enebechi – Sao Tome

Amb. Mohammed Mahmud Lele – Algiers, Algeria

Endoni Syndoph Paebi – Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso

Ahmed Mohammed Monguno – Cairo, Egypt

Amb. Jane Adams (Okon) Michael – Kingston, Jamaica