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A former Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Joe Keshi, has criticised the ambassadorial list President Bola Tinubu submitted to the Senate for confirmation.
Tinubu issued a second batch of ambassadorial nominees on Saturday, November 29, 2025.
Keshi questioned the integrity of several nominees, insisting that some had no place in the diplomatic service “by any standard”.
“I’m satisfied with a few names on the list, but the truth is that most of those on the non-career list are worrying. Are these really the people we want representing Nigeria?
“You have individuals who, if justice had been served and if this country had been run properly with respect for due process, should be in prison rather than being appointed as ambassadors,” he said on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Monday.
“There are people who governed their states and failed. They showed no leadership, and their successors are still trying to repair the damage they left behind.
“These are the people being rewarded, perhaps because they helped you weaken other political parties,” he said.
Keshi also suggested that a conspiracy led to the removal of former National Intelligence Agency (NIA) Director-General, Ayo Oke, from his position.
However, he noted that senior Foreign Affairs Ministry officials felt deeply hurt by their exclusion from the list.
According to Keshi, Nigeria must send its most capable representatives abroad.
“Since the 1960s, when the diplomatic service was created, those who designed it—especially the Prime Minister—knew exactly what they wanted for Nigeria.
“He wanted a highly competent, independent foreign service, staffed by well-trained officers who could hold their own among their counterparts worldwide.
“The first generation of officers, and many who followed, met these standards until politicians began interfering,” he said.
Keshi urged President Tinubu to include ministry officials in the next list.
“I hear there may be another list coming—though I can’t confirm it. I appeal to the President: for the sake of the officers and the Foreign Affairs Ministry, please ensure the next list contains only career officers from the ministry.
“These officers are demoralised. People will call them unpatriotic tomorrow, yet they are only disappointed after years of preparation,” he said.
“They have trained and worked hard, but when they reach the level where they should be appointed, they are told they are not fit to represent the country.
“There is a whole group that has retired—these officers are bitter and feel Nigeria has betrayed them,” he added.
Tinubu’s recent list includes 32 nominees for ambassadorial positions, among them former INEC chairman Mahmood Yakubu; ex-governors Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi and Okezie Ikpeazu; former minister Femi Fani-Kayode; and former presidential aide Reno Omokri.
Earlier, the President had sent the names of Ayo Oke, Amin Dalhatu, and Colonel Lateef Are (rtd.) to the Senate for confirmation.
The lists have drawn mixed reactions across the country.
