33 ambassadors secure agrément, 32 pending — FG

Nigeria has made further progress in its diplomatic accreditation, as 33 of the 65 ambassadors named by President Bola Tinubu have secured agrément from host countries, while 32 await approval.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Kimiebi Ebienfa told The PUNCH the cleared envoy count has now reached 33.

“Thirty-three ambassadors have now secured agréments from host countries,” Ebienfa said.

He added that the envoys would proceed to their respective missions after completing their induction programme, which commenced on Monday and is scheduled to end today (Wednesday).

Ebienfa said, “After the induction, those who have been accepted will proceed to their Missions”.

The ministry had earlier stated that over 25 ambassadors had secured agrément as of April 17.

Agrément refers to the formal consent granted by receiving countries following due diligence on nominated diplomats.

On Monday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs commenced the induction programme for the newly appointed envoys.

In her remarks at the opening session of the induction course for career and non-career ambassadors and high commissioners-designate in Abuja, the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, urged the envoys to project a positive image of Nigeria while navigating limited resources and complex global realities.

She emphasised the critical role of diplomats in shaping Nigeria’s international perception and advancing national interests.

Odumegwu-Ojukwu noted that while Nigeria faces numerous challenges, including insecurity, resource mobilisation and infrastructure deficits, ambassadors must not conceal these realities but instead draw constructive international attention to them.

She said, “Locally, our nation faces genuine challenges of insecurity, resource mobilisation, and infrastructure development.

“Your task is not to hide these realities but to secure international attention and partnership by amplifying the true picture that, despite these obstacles, this government’s commitment to resolving them remains unparalleled and consistent.”

Meanwhile, one of the 65 ambassador-designates, Mohammed Mahmud Lele, Nigeria’s appointed career diplomat to Algeria, died on April 23.

Concerns have also emerged that some nominees may face prolonged delays or may not receive agrément due to the late timing of their appointments.

Although President Tinubu assumed office in 2023, delays in appointing ambassadors left several key diplomatic positions vacant, with missions largely managed by chargés d’affaires.

To address the gap, the Presidency forwarded a list of 65 nominees to the National Assembly in late 2025. While they were screened in December, the delay has placed some nominees at a disadvantage with host countries due to limited processing time.