Tinubu’s Envoys Face Quiet Rejection
India and a number of other countries have refused to accept some ambassadors recently nominated by President Bola Tinubu, creating a diplomatic setback for Nigeria.
Officials in the Presidency and the foreign service revealed the situation on Tuesday as the government continues efforts to secure approval for the envoys.
The problem stems from diplomatic practices in some countries that avoid receiving ambassadors from administrations with limited time left in office.
The hesitation is not linked to the individuals themselves but to Nigeria’s political calendar.
With the next presidential election fixed for January 2027 and Tinubu’s current term ending in May that year, some governments are wary of accrediting diplomats who may serve for only a short period before a possible change in leadership.
Diplomatic approval known as agrément must be granted before any ambassador can assume duties. So far, Nigeria has secured consent from only the United Kingdom and France among the 65 ambassadors and high commissioners approved on March 6.
The uncertainty could delay the government’s push to fully restore leadership across Nigeria’s foreign missions after ambassadors were recalled in 2023.
