India, Other Countries Decline Tinubu’s Ambassadorial Nominees

Some countries, including India, have declined to accept several ambassadorial nominees appointed by President Bola Tinubu, citing diplomatic practices that discourage receiving envoys from governments nearing the end of their tenure.

Senior officials in the Presidency and Nigeria’s foreign service said India has indicated reluctance to grant agrément—the formal approval required before an ambassador can assume duty—to Ambassador Muhammad Dahiru, who was posted to New Delhi.

According to officials familiar with the discussions, India maintains an internal policy against accepting ambassadors from administrations with less than two years remaining in office. Tinubu’s current term is scheduled to end in May 2027, with Nigeria’s next presidential election fixed for January of that year.

One Presidency official said the signals from New Delhi suggest concern about the short time remaining in the administration’s tenure. Diplomats in host countries may hesitate to approve an envoy whose appointment could end soon if there is a change in government after the election.

Another senior foreign service official confirmed India’s position but said Nigeria might attempt to use its diplomatic relationship with the country to secure an exception.

Officials also indicated that other countries could adopt similar positions based on their own diplomatic practices, though India is the only country so far with a confirmed policy affecting the current postings.

Agrément is a requirement under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, which states that a receiving country must consent to a diplomat’s appointment before accreditation.

President Tinubu approved the posting of 65 ambassadors and high commissioners on March 6 as part of efforts to restore Nigeria’s diplomatic representation abroad. The nominations include former Aviation Minister Femi Fani-Kayode for Germany, former Katsina State Governor Abdulrahman Dambazau for China, presidential aide Reno Omokri for Mexico, and Senator Jimoh Ibrahim as Permanent Representative to the United Nations.

So far, Nigeria has received agrément from the United Kingdom for High Commissioner-designate Aminu Dalhatu and from France for Ambassador Ayodele Oke. Approval for the remaining nominees is still pending.

Officials said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has secured funding for the mandatory induction programme for the ambassadors-designate, though the start date has not been confirmed.

Diplomatic sources added that the approval process could take months because host countries often conduct background checks before issuing agrément. In some cases, governments may delay a response or ask that another nominee be submitted.

Nigeria has been without substantive heads of mission in many foreign posts since September 2023, when the Tinubu administration recalled all 83 career and non-career ambassadors.

Former Nigerian envoy to Singapore, Ogbole Amedu-Ode, said some host countries may simply be considering Nigeria’s political timetable before accepting new envoys.

He noted that the proximity of the next election could make receiving states cautious about approving ambassadors whose tenure may be cut short by a change in government.

Another former envoy, Mohammed Mabdul, said political appointees are more likely to face scrutiny because they could return home early to participate in election campaigns.

Nigeria and India have strengthened diplomatic ties in recent years. Tinubu attended the G20 Summit 2023 as a guest and held talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on trade, agriculture, and defence cooperation.

Modi later visited Nigeria in November 2024, the first trip to the country by an Indian prime minister in 17 years. During the visit, both countries signed agreements on cultural exchange, customs cooperation, and technical collaboration as part of their strategic partnership.