Ambassadorial nominees: Nigeria secures approval from 10 countries

Nigeria has secured approvals or ‘agrément’ from ten countries to appoint ambassadorial nominees, as these diplomatic roles have remained vacant for an extended period, according to Kimiebi Ebienfa, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The countries include the United Kingdom, France, the United States, and others.

Ebienfa disclosed the development in a statement, even as he mentioned that responses from other countries are still being awaited.

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‘Agrément’ is the formal consent required from a host nation to accept a nominated diplomat before they can officially begin their duties. According to the Ministry, the countries that have granted approval include, The United Kingdom, United States, France, Ireland, Qatar, The Republic of Benin Ethiopia, Djibouti Senegal and Sierra Leone

Ebienfa further explained that the process of securing approvals remains ongoing. He noted that the date for the induction ceremony would be announced once it is finalised and approved by the Presidency.

“The date for the induction ceremony will be announced in due course once it is finalised and confirmed by the Presidency,” Ebienfa said.

This development follows a long period during which Nigeria operated without substantive ambassadors in several foreign missions.

 

Since taking office in May 2023, President Bola Tinubu has relied largely on chargés d’affaires to manage overseas missions.

The lack of permanent ambassadors had drawn criticism from stakeholders, who warned that the vacancies could weaken Nigeria’s diplomatic influence and bilateral engagements, particularly with strategic partners.

To address this, the Presidency forwarded a list of 65 nominees to the National Assembly in late 2025.

Although the candidates were screened in December, their official deployment depends on receiving approval from their respective host countries.

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Meanwhile, reports indicate that some nations, including India, have declined certain nominees. These countries cited diplomatic policies that discourage accepting new envoys from administrations with less than two years remaining in their current term.