Ambassadorial Posting Reversal: Concerns Over Presidency's Information Management Approach
Nigerians have voiced significant concerns regarding repeated revisions and corrections in official communications from the Presidency, viewing these incidents as evidence of coordination lapses at the highest level of government in the country. This follows a recent reversal of an earlier announcement concerning the posting of ambassador-designates, which has heightened public scrutiny over the administration's decision-making processes.
Reversal of Ambassadorial Postings
Last Thursday, the Presidency initially announced the posting of four ambassador-designates drawn from the 68 nominees confirmed by the Senate in December 2025. In a memo issued to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and signed by Bayo Onanuga, the President's Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, the following appointments were listed: Ambassador Ayodele Oke as ambassador-designate to France, Colonel Lateef Are as ambassador-designate to the United States of America, Ambassador Amin Dalhatu as high commissioner-designate to the United Kingdom, and Usman Isa Dakingari Suleiman as ambassador-designate to Turkey.
However, within hours of the announcement reaching newsrooms, the Presidency issued a correction, citing a naming error concerning the Turkey posting. In a 'Note to Editors,' it was stated that the appointment of an ambassador-designate to Turkey was still under review and should be disregarded for the moment. A revised statement subsequently confirmed only three postings: Ambassador Ayodele Oke to France, Colonel Lateef Are to the United States, and Ambassador Amin Dalhatu as high commissioner-designate to the United Kingdom.
In the corrected memo, President Bola Tinubu directed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to formally notify the governments of these three countries in line with established diplomatic procedures. No ambassador has yet been approved or announced for Turkey, adding to the confusion surrounding this sensitive diplomatic matter.
Public and Expert Reactions
Many Nigerians perceive this development as proof that the administration lacks the level of coordination expected at the highest level of government. They point to past instances of factual errors in communications from the Presidency, questioning why due diligence is not conducted before releasing information to the public. For example, in December 2025, the list of ambassadorial nominees forwarded to the Senate included the name of a former senator from Yobe State, Adamu Talba, who had passed away more than four months earlier. The list also contained spelling errors, such as rendering the late senator's surname as 'Tarba' instead of 'Garba.'
Additionally, in October 2025, President Tinubu withdrew a list of 175 persons granted presidential pardon following public outrage, as the initial list included drug traffickers, kidnappers, and fraudsters. A reviewed list was later released with 86 names, citing consultations with the Council of State and public feedback.
Speaking with The Guardian, lawyer Barnabas Sonayon emphasized that such reversals prompt questions about the inner workings of the administration. 'When a president releases a list of ambassadorial nominees and later withdraws one of the names after public notification, the development inevitably attracts scrutiny,' Sonayon said. He added that reversals can breed confusion, encourage speculation, and weaken confidence in official statements unless promptly and transparently explained.
Sonayon further noted: 'At the level of administration, a late withdrawal often suggests that all screening procedures may not have been concluded before the announcement was made. This can project an image of procedural weakness, particularly if such episodes recur.' He highlighted that clear explanations from the Presidency can mitigate criticism, while silence or vague statements tend to amplify doubts.
Broader Implications and Context
Lanre Arogundade, Chairman of the International Press Centre, urged the government to strengthen its oversight mechanisms to avoid repeats of such incidents. 'I'm not sure if developments like this are peculiar to this administration, but I think the government should be wary of how it affects public perception about it,' he said. Arogundade suggested that errors likely reflect gaps in inter-agency communication and called for improved vetting processes.
Since the mass recall of ambassadors in September 2023, Nigeria's embassies and high commissions have largely been run by chargés d'affaires, a situation that diplomats and foreign policy analysts say has weakened the country's diplomatic influence, slowed bilateral engagements, and strained consular services for Nigerians abroad. Although the Senate confirmed 68 ambassadorial nominees in December 2025, the Presidency has proceeded cautiously with their deployment, citing the need for due diligence, alignment with foreign policy priorities, and financial constraints amid ongoing economic reforms.
The confusion surrounding the Turkey posting is particularly sensitive, as President Tinubu is expected to undertake a state visit to Ankara next week, where defence, trade, and energy cooperation are expected to dominate discussions. The initial announcement was widely seen as part of preparations for this visit before its abrupt withdrawal.
The Presidency maintains that the review reflects caution and strict adherence to diplomatic protocol rather than indecision. However, this incident underscores the importance of coherent information management in governance, where consistency and clarity are closely watched by the public and analysts alike.
