Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Foreign Affairs and Protocol, Ademola Oshodi, has defended the President’s latest round of ambassadorial nominations, insisting that the choices reflect Tinubu’s informed judgment on what is best for his administration and for Nigeria.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Morning Brief on Monday, Oshodi argued that political appointments to diplomatic positions are neither unusual nor improper, but part of a long-established global norm. According to him, world leaders—including presidents, prime ministers, and monarchs—routinely nominate trusted allies or individuals with whom they share longstanding political and personal relationships.
“Whether it’s Donald Trump sending his friends as ambassadors, or the British government posting Peter Mandelson to Washington despite controversies, it is the nature of the business,” he said.
Oshodi clarified that the point was not to send unqualified individuals abroad, but to acknowledge that diplomatic postings ultimately fall within the head of state’s discretionary powers.
He added that Nigerians must respect the President’s prerogative, stressing that those criticising the quality of the nominees misunderstand the nature of the electoral mandate.
“We voted for a president, and we voted for him to make his decisions. This is the best the President has chosen, and it is the best for the interests and success of his administration,” Oshodi stated.
The presidential aide further argued that determining whether the nominees are “the best” is subjective, and that their performance in office will ultimately reveal whether the President’s decisions were justified. “Your judgment of what is best is different from mine. He sends his people out to represent his government—whether for economic, security, or cultural needs,” he added.
New Daily Prime earlier reported that President Tinubu submitted 32 ambassadorial nominees to the Senate for confirmation, following an initial batch of three names. The list includes several prominent figures such as former INEC Chairman, Prof Mahmood Yakubu; former presidential aide, Reno Omokri; former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode; and former Enugu State Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi.
According to a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the nominees will know their diplomatic postings only after Senate confirmation. The list also features four female career ambassadors and six female non-career ambassadors.
