President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has begun considering the names on the list of prospective Nigerian Ambassadors to various countries worldwide.
Speaking to The PUNCH, a high-ranking official in the nation’s foreign service stated that one of those being considered for the top diplomatic jobs is the Founder of Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank), Tajudeen Afolabi Adeola, who will be designated Nigeria’s ambassador to one of the world’s top three economies.
“Yes, the President has the list and is considering it already. In fact, one of those I saw on the list is Fola Adeola, the Founder of GTB. He is being considered as the Nigerian ambassador to one of the world’s top three economies,” the source said.
The source further noted that the Tinubu administration was keen on deploying technocrats and captains of industry as its front persons in foreign lands.
The source said: “There are politicians on the list I saw. But the President is reserving many of the slots for technocrats, people who have built a strong reputation in their respective fields and who have built companies employing thousands of Nigerians. We need people who can use their influence to secure deals and partnerships for the benefit of their country.
“It is not a new thing. When choosing envoys, the most developed economies send their best hands for those jobs. And Tinubu is following that path.
“For example, Adeola is an investor and is not a strange face on the foreign scene and the global business community. He knows them, and they know him. And he is not the only one. You can see that this speaks of the administration’s pursuit of more Foreign Direct Investment.”
Explaining the process followed to compile the list; another source said the Federal Government had set up a small committee to recommend qualified individuals to fill the ambassadorial roles.
The source, who did not want to be named, said, “A committee was set up to make recommendations for career and political ambassadors. You see, most of the career ambassadors already know they are next for appointments. But they don’t know which country they will be sent to.
“There are countries where Nigeria has delicate political interests. For these ones, the government usually sends political ambassadors.
“If you remember, President Buhari appointed his former service chiefs as ambassadors to some African countries.”
Recall that Tinubu, on September 2, 2023, recalled all career and non-career ambassadors manning the country’s diplomatic missions, embassies, and consulates globally.
Nigeria has 109 missions, 76 embassies, 22 high commissions, and 11 consulates globally.