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President Bola Tinubu had ordered all Nigerian ambassadors, career and non-career, to return to the country by October 31, 2023, at the latest.
There are at least 300 Nigerian embassies abroad. Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, informed the impacted envoys of the recall.
It was reported that some ambassadors had already returned, while the majority who remained behind had officially turned over their passports to their most senior officers and were finalizing their travel arrangements to return home as instructed.
An ambassador, speaking to our correspondent under anonymity, stated that all ambassadors were unable to return by the Federal Government's deadline, adding that they were following the rules.
He stated, “Each mission (embassy or high commission) has its peculiar condition. It is, therefore, not possible for all ambassadors to meet the deadline.
“This is not to say that those who could not return before the deadline have gone against the presidential directive. There is that understanding, following the general recall of ambassadors every four years.
“I am one of those that have yet to return, and the reason why I am still here is because of some circumstances that require attention from me for a little more time. I am ready to depart soonest.”
Another ambassador in one of the countries in Europe stated that his delay in the country was due to unforeseen circumstances, adding, “I am substantially in compliance with the October 31st deadline.”
However, our correspondent gathered on Friday that the Presidency had started compiling the names of new ambassadors that would represent Nigeria in different countries.
A top official in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs told our correspondent, “Names of new ambassadors are being compiled.”
