Six Nigerian Ambassadorial Nominees Yet to Receive Host Country Approval, Foreign Affairs Ministry Says
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed that six of Nigeria’s ambassadorial nominees are still awaiting formal approval from their respective host countries before they can begin their diplomatic assignments.
The ministry’s spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa, disclosed that while most of President Bola Tinubu’s ambassadorial appointments have progressed, six nominees are yet to receive the required agrément, the official consent granted by host nations before ambassadors can assume office.
According to the ministry, 61 of the 69 ambassadorial nominees have already secured the necessary approvals, with many of them having departed Nigeria to begin their diplomatic responsibilities.
Among the ambassadors who have officially taken up their positions are Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, who recently presented his Letters of Credence to the Amir of Qatar, and Ambassador Mohammed Idris Haidara, who formally assumed his diplomatic duties in the Netherlands after presenting his credentials to King Willem-Alexander.
Nigeria’s Ambassador to Côte d’Ivoire, Ambassador Ezenwa C. Nwaobiala, has also officially commenced his assignment after presenting his credentials to President Alassane Ouattara.
Ebienfa expressed confidence that the remaining six approvals would be granted in due course, allowing the ambassadorial appointments to be fully completed.
Meanwhile, Nigeria’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to Austria and the International Organisations in Vienna, Mrs. Florence Ajimobi, has formally presented her Copies of Credentials to the Austrian Ministry for European and International Affairs.
During the ceremony, Ajimobi thanked the Austrian government for the warm reception and reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening bilateral relations through greater cooperation in areas such as trade, investment, education, culture and multilateral diplomacy.
She also expressed optimism about officially presenting her Letters of Credence to Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen in the coming weeks.
