Director of the Abuja School of Social and Political Thought,Dr Sam Amadi, says President Bola Tinubu’s ambassadorial nominations reveal “a cynical political mission” in which loyalty and political payback, rather than merit or foreign policy strategy, determine key diplomatic postings.
Speaking in an interview with ARISE News on Sunday, Amadi said the list “tells us clearly how the president views governance,” arguing that Tinubu “is unabashedly and openly political” in his approach.
“The president sees appointment from the lens of politics. He looks at political value, payback and political use. If you work for him, you get rewarded. He loves loyalty.”
Amadi said ambassadorial appointments are globally political to some degree, but serious governments balance politics with competence. He argued that Tinubu’s list does not reflect that balance.
“This is a list that tells us about how the president views governance. As governor, he showed some modicum of technocracy. But as president, he is openly political.”
He added that ambassadorial postings give insight into a president’s ethical framework.
“Staffing decisions are the first indicator of a president’s moral character and political project. So you can sense and conclude on the moral character of a government from its ambassadorial list.”
Responding to concerns over the nomination of former INEC Chairman Mahmood Yakubu, Amadi was blunt.
“You should never think about giving Mahmood this job. Even if he rigged the election for you, you have to pretend. This presidency doesn’t care about optics, morality or people’s views.”
He said nominating Mahmood “tells the new guy on the job that if you play ball, you get rewarded.”
Amadi dismissed assumptions that ambassadors will significantly influence Nigeria’s foreign policy performance.
“People assume ambassadors really matter. In Nigeria, I don’t think they matter. Nigeria has very low foreign policy commitment. These ambassadors are actually going to waste Nigeria’s money.”
Drawing on his experience as an adviser in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, he said many ambassadors merely host events and burn resources.
“What many of these ambassadors do is organise meaningless events for the first ladies, send signals home to get $100,000 to host the president. It’s a racket.”
He argued that Nigeria’s influence abroad is already weak.
“Nigeria is in tatters economically. Nigeria is weak, and over the years it has become weaker. Anyone who says these ambassadors will unlock something significant doesn’t understand the game.”
He recommended that only career diplomats should be posted to technical multilateral missions.
“Only career officers should go to Geneva, Ethiopia, New York — places where real work happens.”
Amadi said the two-year delay in making ambassadorial appointments did not produce a more strategic list.
“The president delayed for two years and came out with the same predicted list. Pushback didn’t stop him from delivering on deals.”
He added that Tinubu’s resolve is part of a calculated political system.
“This is an efficient political machine at work. It’s efficient in a negative, cynical sense.”
Amadi concluded that the appointments demonstrate the absence of any real foreign policy direction.
“Nigeria has no serious foreign policy commitment. We have not shown that seriousness in years, and this list illustrates that this president doesn’t even pretend to have one.”
Boluwatife Enome
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