Why India is reportedly hesitating to accept Nigeria’s ambassador nominee
India is reportedly reluctant to grant formal approval for Nigeria’s proposed ambassador to New Delhi, as Abuja works to deploy a new set of envoys more than two years after President Bola Tinubu recalled ambassadors from most foreign missions.
According to The Punch, senior officials in Nigeria’s presidency and foreign service say India has a standing policy of not accepting ambassadors from governments with less than two years left in office and has signalled 'body language' that it may turn down the posting of career diplomat Ambassador Muhammad Saidu Dahiru, who was recently assigned to India.
Under diplomatic practice, a host country must issue an agrément, formal consent, before an ambassador can take up the post. Nigeria’s officials told The Punch the hesitation is tied to timing rather than the nominee, with some countries viewing the Tinubu administration as nearing the end of its current term.
The report notes that Nigeria is trying to persuade India to make an exception, arguing that bilateral ties could help “scale through” the hurdle.
Tinubu approved postings for 65 ambassadors-designate and high commissioners on March 6, but the foreign ministry has so far received agrément only from the United Kingdom and France, leaving most deployments pending.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
