India has reportedly declined to accept one of Nigeria’s recently nominated ambassadors, citing a diplomatic policy linked to the remaining tenure of the sending government.
Sources within Nigeria’s Presidency and the foreign service disclosed that India maintains a standing practice of not accepting ambassadors from governments with less than two years remaining in office.
One of those affected by the policy is career diplomat, Ambassador Muhammad Dahiru, who was nominated to serve as Nigeria’s envoy to New Delhi.
According to officials familiar with the development, Indian authorities are exercising diplomatic discretion to delay or potentially reject Nigeria’s request to accept Dahiru.
“They don’t accept an ambassador from an administration that has less than two years in office. So they are giving us that body language already,” a Presidency source said.
The situation comes amid earlier concerns that several of President Tinubu’s ambassador-designates may encounter resistance from host countries due to the limited time left in the current administration’s tenure.
Under international diplomatic protocol, host countries must grant formal approval, known as agrément, before a nominated ambassador can assume official duties. Without this consent, an envoy cannot be formally deployed.
Officials say that while India’s stance has been the most explicit so far, other countries may adopt similar positions, potentially delaying Nigeria’s efforts to fully restore ambassadorial representation across its foreign missions.
