President Bola Tinubu has faced criticism for not appointing new ambassadors nearly 16 months after recalling all of Nigeria’s ambassadors. His aide, Ademola Oshodi, responded to the critics, saying the President is working to make sure everything is properly set up before the ambassadors are announced.

During a recent interview, former Nigerian diplomats Lawrence Obisakin and Ayoola Olukanni expressed concern over the long delay. They pointed out that it’s unusual for a President to take this long to make such important appointments.

Oshodi, who is the Senior Special Adviser on Foreign Affairs and Protocol to the President, defended the delay, stating that the President is focused on getting things in order. He assured the public that temporary diplomats, like chargé d’affaires and consul generals, have been filling in to ensure that Nigeria’s foreign missions are still functioning.

Oshodi further explained that the President’s administration inherited missions that were not in the best condition, and so the process of appointing ambassadors is taking time to ensure everything is in place for the new envoys and their families. He also reminded the public that the previous administration took 20 months to appoint ambassadors, highlighting that the current administration is working hard to make the right preparations.