The Ministry of Foreign Affairs acknowledges recent reports indicating that India and certain other countries have declined to grant agrément the formal diplomatic acceptance for some of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s recently nominated ambassadors-designate.
This development stems from established policies in several receiving states that discourage or restrict the acceptance of envoys from administrations with less than one to two years remaining in their term.
President Tinubu’s administration, in line with its commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s global diplomatic presence, nominated a cohort of career and non-career ambassadors following Senate confirmation.
These nominees are intended to represent Nigeria in key bilateral and multilateral postings, including strategic partners such as India, China, the United States, the United Kingdom, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, South Africa, and institutions like the United Nations, UNESCO, and the African Union.
High-ranking officials in the Presidency and the foreign service have confirmed that India maintains a standing policy against accepting ambassadors where the sending government has fewer than two years left in its tenure.
Similar considerations have been cited by other nations, reflecting a common diplomatic practice aimed at ensuring envoys can effectively build relationships and implement long-term initiatives aligned with the full term of the appointing administration.
Nigeria’s next general elections are scheduled for February 2027, with President Tinubu’s current term concluding in May 2027.
The timing of these nominations has thus raised practical concerns among some host countries regarding the limited effective service period for the proposed envoys.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is actively engaging affected countries through established diplomatic channels to address these concerns.
Officials expressed optimism that Nigeria’s strong bilateral ties particularly with longstanding partners like India could facilitate resolutions or exceptions in specific cases. Efforts are underway to secure agrément for as many nominees as possible while upholding mutual respect for receiving states’ policies.
President Tinubu remains committed to revitalizing Nigeria’s foreign service and ensuring robust representation abroad to advance national interests in trade, security, investment, and multilateral cooperation.
The administration continues to prioritize diplomatic professionalism and adherence to international norms, including those outlined in the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.
The Ministry will provide further updates as developments occur and reaffirms its dedication to constructive dialogue with all partners.