RismadarVoice Reporters
August 1, 2026
The Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs says 97 per cent of ambassadors appointed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu have secured the approval of the countries to which they were posted.
The ministry made this known in a statement on Saturday signed by its spokesperson, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa.
It said 65 of the 69 ambassadors-designate nominated by President Tinubu and subsequently screened and confirmed by the Senate have obtained agrément from their respective host governments.
Agrément is the formal consent given by a receiving country before a foreign government can officially appoint an ambassador to that country.
The ministry said the approval process had largely progressed in accordance with established diplomatic procedures.
However, it disclosed that the exercise had encountered two exceptional circumstances.
According to the ministry, Nigeria’s ambassador-designate to Algeria died in April 2026, prompting the government to commence steps towards naming a replacement.
It also said the nominee designated for Togo turned down the appointment. Consequently, Nigeria did not forward a request for agrément to the Togolese government.
However, the ministry identified Japan and Mexico as the only two countries yet to formally communicate their acceptance of Nigeria’s ambassadorial nominees.
It said both countries had assured the Nigerian government that the necessary diplomatic approvals would be conveyed.
The ministry further added that it was maintaining contact with the relevant authorities in Tokyo and Mexico City to conclude the process.
It assured Nigerians and international partners that the government remained confident that the outstanding approvals would be received in due course.
The Foreign Affairs Ministry also revealed that a majority of the newly appointed ambassadors had already travelled to their respective countries of assignment.
Several of them, it said, had presented their Letters of Credence, formally marking the commencement of their diplomatic duties.
The government said the appointments were aimed at enhancing Nigeria’s diplomatic engagement and strengthening the country’s representation abroad.
The ministry reaffirmed its commitment to using Nigeria’s diplomatic network to promote the country’s foreign policy priorities, national interests and relations with governments around the world.
