A Political Affairs Analyst, Prince Francis Chilaka has criticised the Federal Government over what he described as an unnecessarily prolonged delay in releasing Nigeria’s new list of ambassadors.
Chilaka made the remarks during an interview on Voice of the People TV from 0:51, where he assessed the administration’s handling of diplomatic appointments over the past two years.
According to him, the delay in constituting the nation’s diplomatic corps has contributed to gaps in Nigeria’s representation abroad and slowed the country’s engagement on key international issues. He argued that the announcement of the ambassadorial nominees should not have taken the presidency such an extended period, especially given the strategic importance of embassies in advancing national interests.
Chilaka expressed disappointment over the eventual list that was released, saying it failed to meet public expectations. “It took Mr President two years to give us a list of ambassadors and when the list came out, it’s nothing to write home about,” he said, stressing that Nigerians had anticipated a team composed of highly experienced diplomats capable of repositioning the country’s foreign policy.
He added that stakeholders expected the government to prioritise competence, geopolitical balance, and credibility in selecting individuals who would represent the nation across the world. Instead, he argued, the list reflected what he described as “a missed opportunity” to inject fresh expertise into the diplomatic service.
Chilaka urged the National Assembly to thoroughly scrutinise the nominees to ensure that only qualified individuals are confirmed. He emphasised that ambassadorial appointments are not merely ceremonial but central to strengthening international partnerships, attracting investment, and enhancing Nigeria’s global standing. View, More,
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