Nigeria Clears 33 Ambassadors as 32 Await Host Country Approval

Nigeria Clears 33 Ambassadors as 32 Await Host Country Approval

Nigeria has recorded fresh progress in its diplomatic postings as 33 out of the 65 ambassadorial nominees approved by President Bola Tinubu have now received agrément from their respective host countries, while 32 others are still awaiting clearance.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed the development through its spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa, who disclosed that the number of cleared envoys has risen to 33 following continued diplomatic engagements with foreign missions.

“Thirty-three ambassadors have now secured agréments from host countries,” Ebienfa said.

Agrément is the formal diplomatic approval granted by a receiving country after vetting and accepting a nominated ambassador, allowing them to assume official duties in that country.

Ebienfa added that the newly cleared ambassadors will proceed to their assigned foreign missions after completing an ongoing induction programme, which began on Monday in Abuja and is scheduled to end on Wednesday.

“After the induction, those who have been accepted will proceed to their Missions,” he said.

The ministry had earlier reported that over 25 nominees had secured agrément as of April 17, showing gradual progress in the clearance process across Nigeria’s diplomatic partners.

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As part of preparations, the Federal Government began a formal induction programme for career and non-career ambassadors-designate to equip them for their roles in advancing Nigeria’s foreign policy objectives.

Speaking at the opening ceremony in Abuja, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, urged the new envoys to project Nigeria positively while actively engaging the international community on issues affecting the country.

She acknowledged Nigeria’s domestic challenges, including insecurity, infrastructure gaps, and resource constraints, but stressed that diplomats must use their platforms to attract partnerships rather than obscure the realities at home.

“Locally, our nation faces genuine challenges of insecurity, resource mobilisation, and infrastructure development,” she said. “Your task is not to hide these realities but to secure international attention and partnership by amplifying the true picture that, despite these obstacles, this government’s commitment to resolving them remains unparalleled and consistent.”

Meanwhile, the list of 65 ambassadorial nominees submitted by the Presidency to the National Assembly in late 2025 marked Nigeria’s effort to fill long-standing vacancies in foreign missions worldwide.

The Senate screened the nominees in December, but delays in appointment left several embassies operating under chargés d’affaires, limiting high-level diplomatic engagement for months.

One of the nominees, Mohammed Mahmud Lele, Nigeria’s designated ambassador to Algeria, reportedly passed away on April 23, further complicating the final composition of the list.

Officials also acknowledged concerns that some nominees could face delays or rejection due to the extended gap between nomination and diplomatic processing, as some host countries require timely submission for agrément approval.

Since assuming office in 2023, President Tinubu’s administration has faced pressure to fully restore Nigeria’s ambassadorial presence abroad after a prolonged vacancy in key diplomatic postings.

The government says it is working to ensure that all remaining nominees secure approvals so that Nigeria’s foreign missions can operate at full capacity.

Nigeria Clears 33 Ambassadors as 32 Await Host Country Approval