India Rejects Tinubu's Ambassador Nominees Over Policy

India and other nations have declined to accept President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's recent ambassador nominees, primarily due to a diplomatic policy that discourages the acceptance of ambassadors who have less than two years left in their term. Senior officials from Nigeria's foreign service disclosed that India signaled its reluctance to accept Muhammad Dahiru, nominated to serve in New Delhi.

This policy reportedly influenced India's response to Nigeria's request for Dahiru's appointment. The Nigerian government has begun receiving subtle diplomatic signals from New Delhi regarding this issue.

The reluctance to grant approval is linked to Nigeria's political calendar, with the next presidential election scheduled for January 16, 2027, and Tinubu's current tenure ending in May 2027. The Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs is still seeking agreements with other countries, including the United Kingdom, while the fate of other nominees remains uncertain.

Tinubu's administration is attempting to restore full ambassadorial representation abroad after a significant number of ambassadorial positions were left vacant.