Nigeria’s efforts to strengthen its diplomatic representation abroad have encountered an unexpected hurdle, as some countries—including India—have reportedly declined to accept ambassadors recently nominated by Bola Tinubu. The development is linked to diplomatic policies in certain host nations that discourage accepting ambassadors from governments with limited time remaining in office.
Sources within Nigeria’s Presidency and the foreign service revealed that India follows a long-standing diplomatic practice of not accepting ambassadorial appointments from administrations that have less than two years left in their tenure. The policy, according to officials familiar with the situation, is intended to ensure continuity in diplomatic engagement and prevent frequent turnover of envoys.
Among those affected by the decision is career diplomat Muhammad Dahiru, who had been nominated to serve as Nigeria’s ambassador to India. His proposed deployment to New Delhi now faces uncertainty as the Indian government has reportedly signalled reluctance to grant the necessary diplomatic approval.
“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 source within the Nigerian Presidency said, suggesting that New Delhi may delay or decline the nomination entirely.
Under established diplomatic procedures, countries must grant formal approval—known as agrément—before a nominated ambassador can assume duties in a host country. Without this consent, the nominee cannot be officially deployed or recognised as a diplomatic representative. The process allows host governments to assess potential envoys and decide whether to accept them.
Officials in Nigeria acknowledge that India’s position could have wider implications for the country’s diplomatic strategy. While India has reportedly been the most explicit about its policy, there are indications that other countries might adopt similar approaches, potentially complicating Nigeria’s efforts to fill ambassadorial vacancies across its global missions.
The situation arises at a time when Nigeria has been working to rebuild and strengthen its foreign diplomatic network. Several ambassadorial positions have remained vacant in recent years, prompting the government to nominate new envoys in a bid to restore full representation in key international capitals.
Diplomatic analysts say the refusal to accept certain nominees could slow that process. If host countries delay or reject agrément requests, Nigeria may be forced to reconsider its nominations or adjust its diplomatic timelines. In some cases, governments opt to deploy chargé d’affaires or senior diplomats in acting capacities until full ambassadorial appointments can be confirmed.
Observers note that diplomatic policies like the one reportedly followed by India are not uncommon. Some governments prefer to receive ambassadors who are likely to remain in office for a substantial period, allowing them to build long-term relationships with political leaders, government institutions and business communities in the host country.
For Nigeria, the development highlights the complexities of international diplomacy and the importance of timing in ambassadorial appointments. Foreign policy experts emphasise that diplomatic representation is not only about filling positions but also about ensuring continuity, stability and effective engagement with host nations.
Despite the setback, officials within Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs are expected to continue discussions with Indian authorities and other partner countries in hopes of resolving the issue. Diplomatic channels remain open, and it is possible that negotiations could lead to alternative arrangements or revised nominations.
As Nigeria seeks to strengthen its global diplomatic footprint, the outcome of these discussions will be closely watched by policymakers, diplomats and international observers. The situation serves as a reminder that while ambassadorial appointments originate in the sending country, their final approval ultimately rests with the host nation’s discretion.
