Host nations hesitate to grant diplomatic approval as Nigeria’s ambassador-designates face uncertainty due to the approaching end of President Tinubu’s first term.

India and several other countries have declined to accept some of President Bola Tinubu’s recently appointed ambassadors-designate, citing diplomatic conventions that discourage the reception of envoys from administrations with less than two years remaining in office.

Senior officials within the Presidency and Nigeria’s foreign service revealed on Tuesday that India has a long-standing policy against accepting ambassadors from governments nearing the end of their tenure. The policy has affected the posting of career diplomat Ambassador Muhammad Dahiru, who was designated to serve in New Delhi.

According to sources familiar with the matter, India is exercising its diplomatic discretion to decline the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ request for agrément for Dahiru. Agrément is the formal approval a host country must grant before an ambassador can officially assume duty.

The development confirms earlier reports that some of Tinubu’s ambassadorial nominees could face resistance from host nations because of the limited time left in the current administration.

Three separate officials, who spoke anonymously due to the sensitive nature of diplomatic discussions, said Nigeria has already begun receiving signals from New Delhi and possibly other capitals indicating reluctance to approve the envoys.

“One of their concerns is that they do not accept ambassadors from administrations with less than two years left in office,” a Presidency official said. “They are already giving us that body language.”

The official explained that the hesitation is not necessarily about the individuals nominated but about the short timeframe of their potential service.

“Some countries see the Tinubu administration as approaching the end of its term. Their concern is that the president has about a year left before the next election. If a new government emerges, the ambassador could be recalled shortly after appointment,” the source added.

Another senior foreign service official confirmed India’s position but expressed optimism that Nigeria could use its diplomatic ties with New Delhi to secure an exception.

“I know India maintains that policy. If there are less than two years remaining in the tenure of the appointing administration, it can be difficult to secure approval,” the official said. “However, Nigeria may leverage its strong bilateral relationship with India to overcome that challenge.”

The official also suggested that some countries might assess Nigeria’s political outlook before making a decision.

“They may consider whether the current government has strong chances of winning the next election. If they believe the administration is likely to continue, they might be more willing to grant approval,” the source noted.

While India’s position is clearly established, the official said other countries might adopt similar practices based on their diplomatic conventions.

“For now, India is the only one we can confirm. Others may follow their own practices, but we will need to engage them and do a lot of convincing,” the source said.

A third official disclosed that although funding has been secured for the mandatory induction programme for the ambassadors-designate, the training schedule has yet to be finalised.

President Tinubu approved the deployment of 65 ambassadors-designate and high commissioners on March 6, assigning them to various countries and international organisations, including the United Nations.

The nominees include former Aviation Minister Femi Fani-Kayode (Germany), presidential aide Reno Omokri (Mexico), former Katsina State governor Lt. Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazzau (China), and Senator Jimoh Ibrahim as Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations.

So far, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has secured agrément from only two countries — the United Kingdom, which accepted High Commissioner-designate Aminu Dalhatu, and France, which approved Ambassador Ayodele Oke. The status of the remaining 63 nominees remains uncertain.

Nigeria’s next presidential election is scheduled for January 16, 2027, while Tinubu’s first term will end in May of the same year.

Diplomatic experts say the timing of the ambassadorial appointments could create complications, as many countries prefer envoys who can serve for a longer and more stable period.

Former Nigerian ambassador to Singapore, Ogbole Amedu-Ode, described the cautious approach by host countries as pragmatic.

“The next general election is about a year away, and elections can go either way,” he said. “So, some countries may delay granting agrément to an envoy representing a president whose tenure may soon expire.”

Amedu-Ode also criticised the delay in appointing ambassadors.

“The mistake was waiting two to three years into the administration before nominating and deploying heads of missions,” he noted.

Former ambassador to Algeria, Mohammed Mabdul, however, argued that outright rejection of Nigerian nominees by friendly countries is unlikely but warned that political appointees could face additional scrutiny.

“Political ambassadors are expected to stay for two or three years,” he said. “With elections approaching in a year, some may return home to participate in campaigns, which reduces the impact they can make during their postings.”

The situation threatens to prolong the absence of substantive heads of mission at Nigeria’s foreign posts. In September 2023, the Tinubu administration recalled all 83 career and non-career ambassadors, leaving the country’s 109 missions abroad without permanent ambassadors.

Despite the diplomatic hurdle, Nigeria and India have strengthened ties under Tinubu’s administration.

The Nigerian president attended the G20 Summit in New Delhi in September 2023, where he met Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss cooperation in defence, agriculture, trade, and investment.

In November 2024, Modi paid a historic visit to Nigeria — the first by an Indian prime minister in 17 years. During the visit, both countries signed several Memoranda of Understanding covering cultural exchange, customs cooperation, and survey collaboration to deepen their strategic partnership.

Tinubu also honoured Modi with Nigeria’s second-highest national award, the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger.