President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the posting of 95 Ambassador-Designates to various Nigerian Missions abroad.
The announcement comes about six months after their nomination and screening by the Nigerian Senate in July, 2020.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on Tuesday in a press release referenced ‘No: MFA/PR/2021/04’ and signed by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Ambassador Gabriel Aduda.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs wishes to inform that His Excellency President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the posting of Ambassador-Designates to Nigerian Missions abroad,” the release stated.
According to the release, the list includes 43 Career Ambassadors and 52 Non-career Ambassadors.
Ambassador Aduda added that following the posting approval by President Buhari, the Nigerian government has commenced the process of requesting agreement from the prospective countries that would host the envoys.
“The Ministry also wishes to inform that there will be an induction course for the Ambassador-Designates and their spouses which will hold on a date to be announced shortly to prepare and facilitate movement of the Envoys to their respective Missions,” the release added.
The New Diplomat reports President Buhari had on May 6 and July 1, 2020 respectively forwarded the names of the Career Ambassador-Designates and Non-Career Ambassador-Designates to the Nigerian Senate for screening and confirmation.
The Senate headed by Senate President, Dr. Ahmad Lawan referred the communication from Buhari to the Senate’s Foreign Affairs Committee. The Committee screened the envoys in July before reverting back to the President.