President Bola Tinubu has appointed former Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) chairman, Mahmud Yakubu, as a non-career ambassador. This move is part of Tinubu’s efforts to revamp Nigeria’s diplomatic corps, which has been operating without ambassadors since September 2023.
The appointment comes after a 14-month diplomatic vacuum, with Tinubu recalling 83 ambassadors to reassess and realign Nigeria’s foreign policy priorities. The new appointments aim to strengthen Nigeria’s global presence and foster economic partnerships.
Other notable figures being considered for ambassadorial roles include Fola Adeola, founder of Guaranty Trust Bank, and Femi Fani-Kayode, a former Minister of Aviation. The appointments are expected to boost Nigeria’s influence internationally and attract foreign investments.
