Several countries, including India, have reportedly declined to accept certain ambassadors-designate posted by President Bola Tinubu due to diplomatic rules that bar the reception of envoys from governments with less than two years remaining in office.
Officials in Nigeria’s Presidency and Foreign Service confirmed that India, where Ambassador Muhammad Dahiru was designated, adheres to a standing policy against accepting ambassadors from administrations nearing the end of their tenure. Other nations may adopt similar stances, though India is the only confirmed case.
Sources revealed that these countries are exercising discretion by signaling reluctance to grant agrément, the formal approval required before a diplomat assumes office. Officials explained that the rejection is based on tenure rather than the individual nominees, with political uncertainty ahead of the next election influencing host countries’ decisions.
Despite the hurdles, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has secured funding for the mandatory induction course for the ambassadors, though timelines remain uncertain. Among the 65 ambassadors-designate approved in March 2026 are former Aviation Minister Femi Fani-Kayode (Germany), presidential aide Reno Omokri (Mexico), former Katsina State Governor Lt Gen Abdulrahman Dambazzau (China), and Senator Jimoh Ibrahim (UN Permanent Representative).
So far, agrément has only been received for Nigeria’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Aminu Dalhatu, and Ambassador Ayodele Oke to France, leaving the majority of postings unresolved.
Experts say the delay in nominating ambassadors earlier in Tinubu’s term has compounded the challenge, and political appointees are more likely to face difficulties due to the limited remaining tenure. Analysts describe host countries’ caution as pragmatic, noting that elections scheduled for January 2027 may affect the continuity of appointments.
The diplomatic situation may slow Tinubu’s efforts to restore Nigeria’s ambassadorial presence abroad, 27 months after recalling all 83 career and non-career ambassadors in 2023, leaving 109 missions without substantive heads.
Relations with India, however, remain strong. President Tinubu visited New Delhi in 2023 for the G20 Summit, meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss defence, trade, and investment. Modi returned the visit in 2024, signing agreements on cultural exchange, customs cooperation, and strategic partnership expansion. Tinubu awarded Modi Nigeria’s second-highest national honour, the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger.
