The Federal Government has begun compiling the list of new ambassadors, Saturday PUNCH has gathered.

On September 2, President Bola Tinubu recalled all Nigeria’s ambassadors, both career and non-career.

They were asked to return to the country on or before October 31, 2023.

Nigeria has no fewer than 300 foreign missions.

The recall was communicated to the affected envoys by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar.

Our correspondent gathered that some ambassadors had returned, while a majority of them still left behind had formally handed over to their most senior officers but perfecting travel plans to return home as directed.

An ambassador, who spoke to our correspondent on the condition of anonymity, said all ambassadors could not return on or before the deadline given by the Federal Government, noting that they were not flouting the rules.

He stated, “Each mission (embassy/high commission) has its peculiar condition. It is, therefore, not possible for all ambassadors to meet the deadline.

“This is not to say that those who could not return before the deadline have gone against the presidential directive. There is that understanding, following general recall of ambassadors every four years.

“I am one of those that have yet to return and the reason why I am still here is because of some circumstances that require attention from me for a little more time. I am ready to depart soonest.”

Another ambassador in one of the countries in Europe stated that his delay in the country was due to unforeseen circumstances, adding, “I am substantially in compliance with the October 31st deadline.”

However, our correspondent gathered on Friday that the Presidency had started compiling names of new ambassadors that would represent Nigeria in different countries.

A top official in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs told our correspondent, “Names of new ambassadors are being compiled.”

Our correspondent could not ascertain how many of the new ambassadors would be posted out and when they would be posted.