The announcement was conveyed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Yusuf Tuggar, through his media aide, Alkasim Abdulkadir, on Saturday.
This move comes after former President Muhammadu Buhari appointed a total of 41 non-career ambassadors and 42 career ambassadors in July 2020. These ambassadors were selected to represent Nigeria in various foreign diplomatic missions and were confirmed by the Senate in accordance with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution.
The statement confirming the recall of all ambassadors emphasized the president's prerogative in appointing and recalling ambassadors. It stated: "Ambassadors, as representatives of the country, serve at the behest of the President, and it's his prerogative to send or recall them from any country."
This clarification was prompted by the recall of Nigeria's High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Sarafa Ishola. In a letter dated August 31, 2023, addressed to Ishola by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Tuggar formally informed him of the President's decision to recall him, marking the conclusion of his tenure as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to the United Kingdom.
The letter outlined the necessary procedures for winding down his diplomatic affairs and instructed him to take formal leave of the host government within sixty days, with a return to Nigeria expected by October 31, 2023, at the latest.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs expressed Mr. President's appreciation for Ishola's dedicated service as Nigeria's Ambassador in the United Kingdom and thanked him for his exemplary leadership and commitment to the country.
