President Bola Tinubu has approved the deployment of 65 ambassadors-designate and high commissioners to Nigeria’s diplomatic missions around the world, nearly three months after their nomination received Senate confirmation. This announcement, made by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, includes a combination of 34 non-career and 31 career ambassadors who will serve in various regions including Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas, as well as with international organizations such as the United Nations.

Among the notable non-career appointments are former Aviation Minister Femi Fani-Kayode, assigned to Germany, and ex-presidential aide Reno Omokri, who will be heading to Mexico. Additionally, former Chief of Army Staff Lt. Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau has been designated as Nigeria’s ambassador to China. The appointments have sparked controversy, as political opponents, particularly the African Democratic Congress (ADC), have criticized the preference for non-career diplomats over career professionals, questioning the implications for Nigeria's diplomatic integrity.

The ADC's objections highlight ongoing tensions in Nigerian politics regarding the appointment process in public service roles, particularly in diplomacy, which is crucial for maintaining international relations. This move also raises questions about the skill sets and qualifications of the newly appointed ambassadors, as critics argue that such as appointments could lead to a lack of professionalism and experienced representation for Nigeria on the global stage.