As Short Tenure Puts Confirmed Ambassadors in Limbo
Indications have emerged that the ambassadors nominated by President Bola Tinubu and confirmed by the Senate may face rejection by host countries, given the limited time they are likely to serve before the next general election, Wale Igbintade writes
Recent investigations have shown that quite a number of President Bola Tinubu’s newly nominated ambassadors may encounter difficulties securing acceptance from host countries, as concerns grow over the short period they are likely to serve before the next general election.
Multiple sources revealed that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is contending with challenges around obtaining agrément— the official consent required from receiving countries, for a number of the nominees.
The officials explained that some countries are known to prefer ambassadors whose tenure aligns with the tenure of the sending administration, raising concerns over the practicality of approving envoys so close to Nigeria’s next election cycle.
With the 2027 presidential poll scheduled for February and President Tinubu’s first term ending in May of the same year, insiders said several receiving governments could delay or decline approval for nominees whose tenure would be significantly limited.
A senior foreign service official, who requested anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the issue, said, “the problem we have, which we are trying at the moment to see what we can do about, is that most countries, like India, will tell you that if an ambassador has less than one year or two, they may have issues. Usually, one year counts to the end of any current administration.
“That is where there might be a challenge. By the time they get the agrément, some of these ambassadors will have just a few months left. We are trying to see how we can deal with that.”
Under normal diplomatic practice, career foreign service officers serve an average posting of about three years per mission.
The 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, specifically Article 4, requires that host countries formally approve any ambassadorial nominee before accreditation.
The convention, however, does not compel receiving states to justify a refusal, meaning nominees may be declined without explanation, including on grounds related to tenure considerations.
Recall that in September 2023, barely four months after assuming office, President Tinubu ordered a broad review of Nigeria’s foreign policy architecture and recalled both career and non-career ambassadors from 109 missions – 76 embassies, 22 high commissions and 11 consulates – leaving the missions without substantive heads for more than two years.
At the time, the federal government justified the mass recall based on its drive for “world-class efficiency and quality” in the delivery of foreign service operations.
Only Nigeria’s Permanent Representatives to the United Nations in New York and Geneva were retained, owing to the approaching UN General Assembly. Nigeria’s envoy to the Republic of Niger was also exempted due to the unconstitutional change of government in the neighbouring country.
However, it was not until November 2025, over 26 months later, that the President transmitted the names of ambassadorial nominees to the Senate for confirmation.
The first batch of three nominees, Ayodele Oke, Amin Dalhatu and Colonel Kayode Are (rtd.), was forwarded to the National Assembly on November 26, 2025. Three days later, on November 29, an additional list of 32 nominees was submitted, consisting of 17 non-career diplomats and 15 career officers.
No fewer than 67 individuals have been nominated to fill ambassadorial and high commission roles.
On January 22, 2026, the president approved the postings of Oke as ambassador-designate to France, Are as ambassador-designate to the United States, and Dalhatu as high commissioner-designate to the United Kingdom.
Other nominees are expected to be posted to key destinations such as China, India, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and South Africa, as well as multilateral organisations including the United Nations, UNESCO and the African Union.
Nevertheless, officials warned that the delayed nomination and confirmation process could make it difficult for several confirmed envoys to obtain host-country approval in time, particularly given the limited remaining lifespan of the current administration.
While reacting to a report indicating many of the ambassador-designates faced the prospect of being rejected by host countries due to time constraints on their tenure, former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Dr. Kingsley Moghalu, said the timing of ambassadorial appointments by the President Tinubu administration does not portray serious or responsible governance.
Moghalu, a former senior United Nations official, in a Facebook post, said for Nigeria to be in such a situation is bad for the image of the nation “once regarded as a medium power in world politics and the undisputed numero uno in Africa.” He queried the rationale behind recalling the ambassadors appointed by the Buhari administration without timely replacements.
“If the Nigerian leader did not consider the appointment of Ambassadors in a timely manner important, as obviously was the case, then he should have allowed those appointed by his predecessor to remain at post for his first term of office.
“By recalling the ambassadors in 2023, Tinubu left a dangerous lacuna that no leader conversant in statecraft should expose his or her country to. We have all now seen that there are limits to the prioritisation of political buccaneering over hands-on governance and statecraft.”
He also criticised the quality of some of the nominees, saying that their inclusion signals a dearth of merit in the governance of Nigeria.
Also speaking on the issue on ARISE NEWS, a leading political scientist, Dr. Kunle Fagbemi, warned that Nigeria’s foreign relations are under severe strain due to the crisis to the delays in ambassadorial appointments and the systemic mismanagement in the presidency.
Fagbemi said the Tinubu administration’s handling of foreign affairs threatens Nigeria’s global reputation, adding that a dysfunctional presidency creates real consequences for international relations.
“This delay reflects a lack of institutional memory and continuity in governance. Diplomatic appointments are not mere formalities, they are essential for upholding international agreements and relationships,” Fagbemi stressed.
The expert also criticised recent public misstatements, including claims about Nigeria-UK relations that erroneously suggested 37 years had passed since the last state visit. Such errors, he argued, expose Nigeria to international embarrassment and undermine confidence in its diplomatic corps.
To address the crisis, he recommended the immediate appointment of special envoys with expertise in key global regions—North America, Europe, and Asia to ensure effective diplomatic engagement. He also emphasised the need for a shared vision among political elites, noting that cross-party consensus is crucial to prevent uncertainty in foreign relations.
“If there is consensus, designated ambassadors can serve a definitive period, typically 24 to 30 months, which ensures stability even amid changes in administration,” he added.
Fagbemi further stressed that ambassadorial appointments must prioritise national interest over personal or political considerations. He said career diplomats, many approaching retirement, are best positioned to navigate the complex demands of international diplomacy.
Fagbemi warned that failure to act could weaken Nigeria’s influence globally, noting that countries hesitate to engage fully with administrations perceived as unstable or poorly managed.
