UK, US, France grant approval for Nigeria’s ambassadorial nominees

The Federal Government has confirmed that several countries, including the United Kingdom, France, and the United States, have granted agrément to Nigeria’s ambassadorial nominees, marking progress in efforts to fill long-vacant diplomatic positions.

The spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, disclosed this in a statement on Monday, noting that approvals have so far been secured from ten countries.

Agrément is the formal consent given by a host country to accept a diplomat nominated by another nation, a key requirement before an ambassador can officially assume duty.

According to the ministry, other countries that have granted approval include Ireland, Qatar, Benin Republic, Ethiopia, Djibouti, Senegal, and Sierra Leone. Responses from other countries are still being awaited.

Ebienfa added that the process is ongoing and that the date for the induction ceremony of the envoys will be announced once finalised and approved by the Presidency.

The development follows a prolonged period during which Nigeria operated without substantive ambassadors in several foreign missions under President Bola Tinubu. Since assuming office in May 2023, Tinubu had delayed fresh ambassadorial appointments, relying largely on chargés d’affaires to manage diplomatic missions.

The absence of ambassadors had drawn criticism from stakeholders, who warned it could weaken Nigeria’s diplomatic influence and bilateral relations, particularly in key partner countries.

To address the gap, the Presidency forwarded a list of 65 ambassadorial nominees to the National Assembly in late 2025. Although the nominees were screened in December, their deployment depends on securing agrément from host nations.

However, some countries, including India, have reportedly declined to accept certain nominees, citing diplomatic policies that discourage receiving envoys from administrations with less than two years remaining in office.

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