Nigeria is facing a diplomatic setback as countries like India have reportedly declined to accept several ambassadorial nominees put forward by President Bola Tinubu.
The reason cited is the limited time left in the administration’s current tenure, with India having a policy of not accepting ambassadors from governments with less than two years remaining in office.
One of the affected nominees is career diplomat Ambassador Muhammad Dahiru, who was nominated to serve in New Delhi. This development has raised concerns that other countries may follow suit, potentially delaying Nigeria’s efforts to restore ambassadorial representation across its foreign missions.
Under diplomatic protocol, countries must grant formal approval, known as agrément, before a nominated envoy can assume duties. Without this consent, ambassadors cannot be officially deployed. The lack of ambassadors has already impacted Nigeria’s global presence, with the country missing key international discussions and decisions.
The Tinubu administration had recalled all Nigerian ambassadors in September 2023, and the delayed appointment process has been criticized for weakening Nigeria’s international relations. With approximately 15 months left in office, the administration faces a tight deadline to fill the vacant ambassadorial positions.
