Why Some Countries Are Rejecting Nigeria’s Newly Appointed Ambassadors

Concerns over the remaining tenure of the administration of Bola Tinubu are emerging as a key reason some countries are reluctant to accept Nigeria’s newly appointed ambassadors.

Just days after Tinubu approved the deployment of several envoys to foreign missions, diplomatic signals from countries including India suggest hesitation in granting the mandatory diplomatic clearance known as agrément.

Reports indicate that India, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi,  has invoked a long-standing diplomatic practice of declining ambassadors from governments with less than two years remaining in office.

At the centre of the issue is career diplomat Muhammad Dahiru, nominated as Nigeria’s envoy to India. Sources in the Presidency and the foreign service say New Delhi has begun signalling it may not approve his posting due to the limited time left for the current administration.

Officials explained that host countries sometimes avoid accepting ambassadors from governments nearing the end of their tenure because a new administration could quickly recall them.

Under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, ambassadors cannot assume duty in a foreign country without the receiving state’s formal approval.

Despite the diplomatic friction, relations between **Nigeria** and India remain strong, and Nigerian officials are reportedly exploring ways to secure an exception for the nomination.