Some countries, including India, have declined to accept certain ambassadors-designate appointed by President Bola Tinubu due to diplomatic policies discouraging the accreditation of envoys from administrations with less than two years remaining in office.
Sources in the Presidency and the foreign service disclosed that India has a standing policy against accepting ambassadors from governments nearing the end of their tenure. The policy has affected the posting of career diplomat Ambassador Muhammad Dahiru, who was designated to serve in New Delhi.
According to officials familiar with the development, the Indian government is exercising its discretion by delaying or declining to grant agrément—the formal approval required from a host country before an ambassador can assume duty.
A Presidency source said some countries are reluctant to accept the nominees not because of the individuals but because of the limited time remaining in the current administration’s tenure.
Another senior foreign service official confirmed India’s position but expressed optimism that Nigeria could leverage its diplomatic relationship with New Delhi to secure an exception.
President Tinubu recently approved the posting of 65 ambassadors-designate and high commissioners to various countries and international organisations. Among the nominees are former Aviation Minister Femi Fani-Kayode, political commentator Reno Omokri, former Interior Minister Abdulrahman Dambazzau, and Senator Jimoh Ibrahim.
So far, agrément has only been received from the United Kingdom and France for their respective nominees, leaving the approval of the remaining envoys uncertain.
Diplomatic experts note that host countries often consider the political calendar of the sending state before approving ambassadors, particularly when elections are approaching and the possibility of a change in government could shorten the envoy’s tenure.
