Juliet Ezeh
Nigeria is moving closer to restoring full diplomatic representation across its foreign missions as more than 25 ambassador-designates appointed by President Bola Tinubu have now received official diplomatic approval from host countries.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed the development in Abuja, describing it as a major breakthrough in efforts to resolve prolonged vacancies in Nigeria’s foreign missions that have persisted since 2023.
According to the ministry, the process of securing diplomatic approval from receiving countries is ongoing, with more confirmations expected ahead of the final deployment exercise scheduled for later this month.
Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, said the government has recorded steady progress in obtaining the necessary approvals required for ambassadors to assume duty in their respective countries of assignment.
He explained that diplomatic approval is a formal confirmation issued by a host country after conducting background checks and accepting the nominated envoy as Nigeria’s official representative.
Ebienfa noted that Nigeria has already received approvals for over 25 ambassador-designates, adding that more are still being processed as communications continue between Nigeria and various foreign governments.
He further disclosed that a three-day induction programme has been scheduled to prepare the ambassadors for their assignments. The programme will run from the 27th to the 29th of this month, after which deployment will begin immediately.
“The approvals are coming in regularly. Before the induction exercise begins, we expect additional confirmations,” he said.
The induction programme, according to him, will prepare the ambassadors and, where necessary, their spouses, on diplomatic conduct, expectations of host countries, and how to effectively represent Nigeria’s interests abroad.
He added that emphasis will also be placed on professionalism, protocol, and the promotion of Nigeria’s image in foreign relations.
“Once diplomatic approval is granted, the ministry proceeds with induction where ambassadors are trained on how to conduct themselves, manage engagements, and properly represent the country,” Ebienfa said.
Concerns had previously been raised about the possibility of some nominees being rejected by certain countries. However, the ministry dismissed such concerns, insisting that all ambassador-designates would eventually be posted.
Ebienfa explained that Nigeria maintains more than 70 diplomatic missions globally, providing flexibility for reassignment in cases where any nominee is not accepted by a specific country.
“Even if a nominee is not accepted by Country A, there is always Country B. No ambassador-designate will be left without a posting,” he assured.
Since President Tinubu assumed office in 2023, Nigeria experienced delays in ambassadorial appointments, leaving several key diplomatic positions vacant. During this period, many missions were managed by chargés d’affaires.
To address the gap, the Presidency forwarded a list of 65 ambassadorial nominees to the National Assembly in late 2025. After screening and approval, the nominees have been awaiting diplomatic clearance from host countries before deployment.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has also raised concerns over the increasing cases of individuals illegally using diplomatic titles such as “Ambassador,” warning that such actions are unlawful and punishable under Nigerian law.
It stressed that only individuals officially appointed and approved through proper diplomatic channels are recognized as ambassadors of Nigeria.
The ministry reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the integrity of Nigeria’s foreign service and ensuring that only duly accredited officials represent the country abroad.
With diplomatic approvals now being secured steadily, Nigeria is expected to begin the deployment of ambassadors in the coming weeks, marking a significant step in strengthening its international relations and foreign policy execution.
Juliet Ezeh is the founder and chief reporter at Westbridge Reporters with over 7 years of experience in journalism. She covers crime, industry, policy, and social developments, delivering timely and accurate reporting.