By Nworisa Michael
Some countries, including India, have reportedly declined to accept certain ambassadors-designate recently appointed by Bola Ahmed Tinubu, citing diplomatic policies that discourage the posting of envoys from governments with less than two years remaining in office.
According to The Punch, senior officials within the Presidency and Nigeria’s foreign service disclosed that India is reluctant to grant agrément the formal diplomatic approval required before an ambassador can assume duty to Nigeria’s nominee for New Delhi, Muhammad Dahiru.
Sources familiar with the development explained that the South Asian country maintains a standing policy of not accepting ambassadors from administrations nearing the end of their tenure.
Three officials who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitive nature of diplomatic negotiations confirmed that the Nigerian government had already begun receiving signals from New Delhi and possibly other capitals indicating reluctance to accept some of the ambassadorial appointments.
“They don’t accept an ambassador from an administration that has less than two years in office. So they are giving us that body language already,” a Presidency official said.
Another source added that the concerns raised by some host countries are not directed at the individuals nominated but rather at the political timeline of the current administration.
“Some countries are reluctant to accept some people, not because of the individuals but because of time. They are already seeing the Tinubu government as an outgoing government.
“So their concern is that he has just one year left, so what if he doesn’t win the election? Another government may come and remove them. We also understand that some countries have this policy. Any ambassador from an administration that has less than a year or two in office will not get accepted. And one of such countries is India,” the source explained.
Another senior official within Nigeria’s foreign service confirmed India’s position but expressed optimism that Nigeria could leverage its diplomatic relationship with the country to secure an exception.
“I know India has that policy. If you are less than two years to the end of the tenure, there will be difficulties accepting an ambassador. Maybe we can leverage our relationship with them to scale through that.
“Of course, there are those among them who gauge political tides, and some may see that this government can win the next election. Perhaps they may see that the election may not be so competitive because virtually everybody has moved towards the APC. They may say the chances for APC’s victory are high. That is one of the arguments the government will push forward,” the official said.
He further noted that while India’s diplomatic rule is clearly established, other countries may follow similar diplomatic conventions in handling such appointments.
“India is the only one I can confirm to you for now. The others will be based on their conventions and practices. But the one I know for sure now is India. We will have to do a lot of convincing because they have a standing rule,” the official added.
Meanwhile, another official disclosed that although Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs has already secured funding for the mandatory induction course required for ambassadors-designate, the schedule for the training remains uncertain.
“On the training, we don’t know when for now. But the Foreign Ministry has the funds already to undertake the induction course,” the source said.
On March 6, President Tinubu approved the posting of 65 ambassadors-designate and high commissioners to various countries and international organisations, including the United Nations.
Among those nominated are former governors of Enugu State and Abia State, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi and Okezie Ikpeazu, who were nominated for postings to Greece and Spain respectively.
Others on the list include former Aviation Minister Femi Fani-Kayode, nominated to serve in Germany; presidential aide Reno Omokri, nominated to Mexico; former Katsina State governor Abdulrahman Dambazau, nominated to China; and Jimoh Ibrahim, nominated as Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations.
So far, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has secured agrément from only two countries United Kingdom for High Commissioner-designate Aminu Dalhatu, and France for Ambassador-designate Ayodele Oke.
The status of the remaining 63 nominees remains uncertain as diplomatic engagements continue.
The development comes as Nigeria prepares for the next presidential election scheduled for January 16, 2027, by the Independent National Electoral Commission.
President Tinubu’s current tenure is expected to conclude in May 2027, a timeline that some host countries appear to be factoring into their decisions on whether to accept Nigeria’s new diplomatic envoys.
