Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Foreign Affairs and Protocol, Ademola Oshodi, has defended the President’s latest ambassadorial nominations, urging Nigerians to respect the constitutional powers vested in the presidency and have confidence in the choices made.
Speaking on ARISE News on Tuesday, Oshodi said reactions to the list were expected but stressed that presidential appointments are based on context, competence and strategic needs. According to him, “in any appointment, in any situation, we must find people that favor people against people who are generally confused. Each appointment is a review of the particular context, background, objectives, and strategic imperatives of the position in question.”
He explained that the list reflects a deliberate balance across different categories of candidates, saying, “we have career, we have non-career, we have political, we have people that are less controversial.” For him, what ultimately matters is the President’s assessment of who can help deliver his mandate.
Oshodi emphasised that Nigerians entrusted Tinubu with the authority to select his executive team and should therefore respect the choices he makes. “Whatever he chooses, even if he chooses a minister, changes the security personnel… it’s in his interest. We voted for him. We give him the right to choose his executives. We have to trust his judgment,” he declared.
Responding to questions on controversial appointments such as former INEC Chairman Mahmood Yakubu, he noted that Yakubu’s long service in national institutions speaks for him. When pressed on how the former INEC boss strengthens foreign policy, he pointed to political alignment, stating simply, “loyalty to the administration.” He further insisted that Yakubu’s “loyalty to the President” was among the reasons the administration believes in him.
Oshodi also defended the inclusion of former Aviation Minister Femi Fani-Kayode, whose public rhetoric and controversies have raised concerns about diplomatic suitability. The presidential aide argued that competence varies across individuals and that different countries require different skillsets in their diplomats. According to him, “everyone’s competence is different, everyone’s capacity is different… There’s reasons why we see people like that, and I can tell you very much that Mr. Femi Fani-Kayode’s idea of being an ambassador is great. Being divisive does not eliminate the importance from serving this country.”
When confronted with public worries over Fani-Kayode’s temperament and allegations from his personal life, Oshodi pushed back, saying such issues should not overshadow professional considerations. “The key here is people’s personal lives. I think this is a professional job. The President has decided… I don’t think he will actually address the perception problem,” he stated.
Addressing expectations for the upcoming Senate screening, Oshodi expressed confidence in the legislative process while stressing that several layers of vetting exist beyond the National Assembly. “I want to believe that we use the right process of vetting each of these candidates to ensure that the right questions are asked,” he said. He reminded viewers that nominees must also pass checks by the DSS, the ICPC, and the governments of the countries where they will be posted.
He added that Nigeria’s long absence of appointed ambassadors has made these confirmations urgent, noting that diplomats are essential for promoting the nation’s interests abroad. “We need these people on station to be able to promote our country economically, culturally, and security-wise,” he stressed.
Responding to reports that some individuals were unhappy their names did not make the list, Oshodi refused to identify anyone, saying, “I’m sorry, even if I did know them, I would not mention it in this interview.”
Faridah Abdulkadiri
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