The Federal Government has secured approvals from major global powers, including the United States, United Kingdom, and France, for Nigeria’s ambassadorial nominees, marking a major breakthrough in its resolve to fill long-vacant diplomatic positions across the world.
The announcement was made on Monday by the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, who disclosed that Nigeria has received clearances from 10 countries so far.
According to the ministry, the countries that have granted approval include the United Kingdom, France, the United States, Ireland, Qatar, the Republic of Benin, Ethiopia, Djibouti, Senegal, and Sierra Leone.
“Responses from other countries are still being awaited,” the statement added.
Ebienfa explained that consultations with additional host countries are still ongoing, stressing that the final timeline for the formal induction of the ambassadors will be announced once all processes are concluded and approved by the Presidency.
“The date for the induction ceremony will be announced in due course once it is finalised and confirmed by the Presidency,” he said.
The Presidency had earlier submitted a list of 65 ambassadorial nominees to the National Assembly toward the end of 2025.
Although the nominees were screened in December, their deployment remains dependent on receiving approval from host countries, in line with standard diplomatic practice.
However, some countries, including India, are reported to have declined certain nominees, citing diplomatic norms that discourage the acceptance of ambassadors from governments nearing the end of their tenure, particularly those with less than two years remaining in office.
