António Guterres has officially received and accredited Jimoh Ibrahim as Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations.
Ibrahim presented his letter of credence to the UN chief on Monday, formally marking the start of his diplomatic assignment.
The former senator had earlier received his letter of credence from Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on April 1, clearing the way for him to assume duties at the multilateral body.
According to a statement by Temitope Ajayi, Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Media and Publicity, Ibrahim used the occasion to assure the UN and the international community of Nigeria’s commitment to addressing long-standing national challenges under the current administration.
He also called for continued cooperation and support from global partners as Nigeria seeks to strengthen its role on the international stage.
However, his appointment has not been without controversy. Some civil society organisations have raised concerns over his nomination, citing ongoing legal and ethical questions. The groups have petitioned both the Nigerian government and the UN leadership, urging a review of the appointment, which they described as carrying significant national and international implications.
Despite the criticism, Ibrahim’s accreditation signals Nigeria’s formal diplomatic presence at the UN under his leadership.
