Appointments of ambassadors or high commissioners by the President is a constitutional obligation. There should not be any delay in such appointments. Section 171 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria states that:

“(1) Power to appoint persons to hold or act in the offices to which this section applies and to remove persons so appointed from any such office shall vest in the President.

(2) The offices to which this section applies are, namely – (a) Secretary to the Government of the Federation; (b) Head of the Civil Service of the Federation; (c) Ambassador, High Commissioner or other Principal Representative of Nigeria abroad; (d) Permanent Secretary in any Ministry or Head of any Extra-Ministerial Department of the Government of the Federation howsoever designated; and (e) any office on the personal staff of the President. 

(3) An appointment to the office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation shall not be made except from among Permanent Secretaries or equivalent rank in the civil service of the Federation or of a State. (4) An appointment to the office of Ambassador, High Commissioner or other Principal Representative of Nigeria abroad shall not have effect unless the appointment is confirmed by the Senate.

(5) In exercising his powers of appointment under this section, the President shall have regard to the federal character of Nigeria and the need to promote national unity.

(6) Any appointment made pursuant to paragraphs (a) and (e) of subsection (2) of this section shall be at the pleasure of the President and shall cease when the President ceases to hold office;

Provided that where a person has been appointed from a public service of the Federation or a State, he shall be entitled to return to the public service of the Federation or of the State when the President ceases to hold office.”

The delay in appointing ambassadors mirrors the way this government thinks of the roles of ambassadors. Ambassadors actively manage and maintain diplomatic relations between the home country and the host. They engage in political and economic negotiations, promote bilateral cooperation and safeguards the home country’s interest in the host country. Additionally, they supervise the functioning of consulates within their jurisdiction.

They are not just mere desk officers or protocol officers whose schedule is only to hire uber vehicles for President, their relatives and other top officials. They are an integral part of government. 

Ambassadors also engage in delicate negotiations, representing their country’s policies while understanding others’ perspectives. This balancing act is crucial for successful international relations. Their work includes advocating for their home country’s political, economic, and cultural agendas abroad. Ambassadors are the voice of their nation in foreign lands, aiming to foster global partnerships. 

How can we be chasing foreign investments when ambassadors who are to play prominent roles in such negotiations have not been appointed? 

If ministers could be appointed and sworn-in three months after presidential inauguration, why delay the appointments of ambassadors?

At the 79th General Assembly of the United Nation, Nigeria made a legitimate demand for a permanent seat at the United Nations security council. At the time we made the demand, we had no permanent representative in the United Nations. What a contradiction. We undervalue the position of ambassadors in this country. We starve their embassies of funds and we pay little attention to their needs.  

We acknowledged the efforts of Mr. Walter Carrington (24 July 1930-11 August 2020), the American ambassador to Nigeria between 1993-1997 and the role he played in standing for human rights during the General Sani Abacha years. He stood firm by his principles and he was resolute in defending human rights. 

In other countries of the world, the ambassadorship is the training ground for leadership.

To be concluded…