President Bola Tinubu has submitted the names of three ambassador-nominees to the Senate for screening and confirmation, marking the first major step toward restoring leadership across Nigeria’s foreign missions more than two years after he recalled all ambassadors.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio announced the nominees during Wednesday’s plenary session, identifying them as Kayode Are (Ogun), Aminu Dalhatu (Jigawa), and Ayodele Oke. “The list contains three names for now. I am sure others will follow,” Akpabio said after reading the President’s letter.

Tinubu had ordered the withdrawal of ambassadors in September 2023, just months after assuming office, to enable what he described as a comprehensive overhaul of Nigeria’s foreign service. Since then, no replacements had been appointed, leaving all 109 missions to operate under charge d’affaires — officials with limited diplomatic authority.

The transmission of the three nominees on Wednesday signals the administration’s move to rebuild Nigeria’s diplomatic representation since the mass recall, with more nominations expected in the coming weeks.