Several countries, including India, have reportedly declined to accept ambassador-designate nominees put forward by Bola Ahmed Tinubu, citing diplomatic conventions that discourage the accreditation of envoys whose tenure may be limited.
The development is linked to established diplomatic practice in which host countries are sometimes reluctant to grant agrément — the formal approval required before an ambassador assumes duty — to nominees who may serve only a short period before a potential change of government.
The situation comes as political activities gradually begin to align toward the 2027 Nigerian general elections, raising concerns in some diplomatic circles that the tenure of newly appointed ambassadors could overlap with the final months of the current administration’s first term.
Among those reportedly affected by the situation is Nigeria’s ambassador-designate to India, Muhammad Dahiru. Sources indicate that his agrément has not yet been granted by the host country, a development that has prevented him from formally assuming his diplomatic duties.
Under international diplomatic protocol, a receiving country must first grant agrément to a nominee before the individual can be officially appointed and accredited as ambassador. Without this approval, the envoy cannot take up the position.
Analysts note that such decisions are sometimes influenced by the desire of host countries to ensure continuity and stability in diplomatic relations, particularly when the sending country is approaching an election cycle that could lead to changes in leadership or foreign policy direction.
While Nigerian authorities have not publicly confirmed the extent of the issue or the number of nominees affected, the reports highlight the complexities involved in diplomatic postings during politically sensitive periods.
Observers say the development underscores the importance of timing in ambassadorial nominations, especially as governments balance domestic political transitions with the need to maintain effective diplomatic representation abroad.