Mexico approves Reno Omokri as Nigeria’s Ambassador after eight-month wait

The Mexican government has granted diplomatic approval for Reno Omokri’s appointment as Nigeria’s ambassador to Mexico, ending an eight-month wait for confirmation of his posting.

Omokri announced the development in a post on X on Tuesday, saying José Manuel Briseño Flores, chargé d’affaires of the Embassy of Mexico in Abuja, had delivered the diplomatic approval, known as agrément, to Babagana Wakil, director of protocol at Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The approval covers Omokri’s appointment as Nigeria’s ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary to Mexico, with concurrent accreditation to Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua.

“To God be the glory, the Chargé d’affaires of the Embassy of the United Mexican States in Abuja, Mr José Manuel Briseño Flores, today in Abuja delivered the agrément from the Government of the United Mexican States accepting me,” Omokri said.

The development clears a major diplomatic hurdle for Omokri, whose posting had remained pending since President Bola Tinubu approved the deployment of 65 ambassadors-designate and high commissioners in March.

Tinubu had assigned Omokri to Mexico as part of the ambassadorial postings announced by the Federal Government.

However, his deployment could not be completed without formal acceptance from the Mexican government.

READ ALSO; Shehu Sani, Reno Omokri, Pedro among prominent figures tipped for Ambassadorial roles

In August, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs disclosed that Mexico and Japan were among the countries yet to communicate formal approval for two outstanding ambassadorial appointments.

The ministry said it was engaging the relevant authorities and expressed confidence that the outstanding diplomatic clearances would be received.

The latest approval resolves the uncertainty surrounding Omokri’s posting to Mexico, although the completion of any remaining administrative and diplomatic formalities will determine the next steps in his assumption of duty.

Agrément is the formal consent granted by a host country before a foreign government’s nominated ambassador can be appointed to serve there. It is a standard requirement in diplomatic relations and precedes the ambassador’s formal assumption of duties.

Omokri’s appointment forms part of the Tinubu administration’s broader effort to fill Nigeria’s diplomatic positions and strengthen its bilateral relations with foreign governments.