The Federal Government has announced that more than 25 of the 65 ambassador-designates appointed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu have secured agrément from their host countries, clearing the way for their deployment to foreign missions.
The disclosure was made on Friday in Abuja by the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, during a media briefing on Nigeria’s diplomatic engagements and current foreign policy developments.
Ebienfa said the country had made significant progress in the accreditation process required before ambassadors can be posted abroad, adding that deployment would begin immediately after a scheduled induction programme later this month.
“We have received agreements from over 25 countries where ambassador-designates have been sent. We are receiving agreements every day, and before the date of induction, we will receive even more,” he said.
He disclosed that plans had been concluded for a three-day induction exercise for the envoys.
“Plans have been concluded for a three-day induction programme from the 27th to the 29th of this month,” he said, noting that deployment would begin immediately after the exercise.
According to him, ambassadors who have secured agrément would proceed to their respective countries after the induction, while some missions may still await final approvals.
Ebienfa explained that agrément is the formal approval granted by receiving countries after conducting due diligence on ambassadorial nominees.
“Once the agrément is granted, the ministry proceeds with induction, where ambassadors and, where applicable, their spouses are exposed to the principles of diplomacy, conduct in host countries, and the expectations of the President,” he stated.
“We are going to talk to them about how to conduct themselves, how to host official engagements, how to advertise the country very well, for our own benefits.”
On whether any ambassador-designates had been rejected by host countries, the ministry said no nominee would be left without an assignment.
“Whether any ambassadors have been rejected or not, foreign affairs will not come and tell the public about it. What we will ensure is that all ambassadors will have countries that they will serve in,” Ebienfa said.
“Out of the 65 ambassadors designated, we have over seventy plus embassies, so it is not every slot that is filled already, so even if someone is rejected by country A, there is the possibility that they will be accepted in Country B. So that is what the ministry is working with.”
Following Tinubu’s assumption of office in 2023, Nigeria experienced a prolonged delay in appointing new ambassadors, leaving several diplomatic missions under the management of chargés d’affaires.
To address the gap, the Presidency submitted a list of 65 ambassadorial nominees to the National Assembly in late 2025. Although the nominees were screened in December, their final deployment depends on securing agrément from host nations.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs also raised concerns over the increasing misuse of diplomatic titles by individuals and unauthorised groups, warning that offenders could face prosecution.
The ministry said it had observed a growing trend of people illegally assuming titles such as Ambassador and Diplomatic Envoy, as well as fraudulently conferring such honours on others.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has observed with grave concern the increasing activities of unscrupulous individuals and unauthorised groups who illegally usurp diplomatic titles and fraudulently confer the same, specifically the title of ‘Ambassador,’ upon themselves or unsuspecting members of the public. Such titles are not recognised under Nigerian laws or relevant international conventions,” Ebienfa said.
Reaffirming the government’s position, he added, “The Federal Government remains committed to protecting the integrity of Nigeria’s diplomatic service and will not tolerate any form of misrepresentation that brings the nation to disrepute.”
