THE Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced that 65 out of the 69 Nigerian ambassadors appointed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu have received the approval of their respective host countries, representing what it described as a 97 per cent acceptance rate.
News Point Nigeria reports that the ministry said the overwhelming acceptance of the ambassadorial nominees reflects the steady progress of Nigeria’s diplomatic engagements, while explaining that only a few appointments remain outstanding due to specific circumstances.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the ministry’s spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa, disclosed that the 65 accepted ambassadorial nominees had successfully secured the consent of their host nations.
Ebienfa explained that two of the four outstanding appointments resulted from circumstances beyond the government’s control.
According to him, Grace Bent, who was nominated as Nigeria’s ambassador-designate to Togo, declined the appointment, while Mohammed Mahmud Lele, the ambassador-designate to Algeria, died in April before assuming office.
Lele passed away on April 19 in Ankara, Turkey, after a prolonged illness.
The ministry said the process of appointing a replacement for the late diplomat is currently underway.
Although the spokesperson did not identify the remaining two countries where Nigeria is still awaiting diplomatic approval, TheCable reported that the countries are Japan and Mexico.
According to the report, former presidential spokesperson Reno Omokri was nominated as Nigeria’s ambassador to Mexico, while Olumilua Oluwayimika Ayotunwa was designated to serve as ambassador to Japan.
Ebienfa, however, assured Nigerians that diplomatic engagements with the two countries were progressing positively.
He said assurances had already been received from both friendly nations that their consent would be granted in due course, stressing that the diplomatic process was advancing “smoothly and successfully.”
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs wishes to assure Nigerians and the international stakeholders that it is actively engaging the relevant authorities in the two countries and is confident that the outstanding Agreements will be conveyed in due course,” the statement read.
The ministry further disclosed that the majority of the newly appointed ambassadors had already arrived in their respective host countries and formally presented their letters of credence, enabling them to commence their duties as Nigeria’s principal diplomatic representatives abroad.