The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says 65 of the 69 ambassadorial nominees appointed by President Bola Tinubu have received approval from their host countries.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the ministry’s spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa, said the development represents a 97 per cent acceptance rate.
He explained that four appointments remain unresolved due to changes in the original list.
According to him, Grace Bent, the ambassador-designate nominee for Togo, declined the offer, while Mohammed Mahmud Lele, the ambassador-designate for Algeria, died on April 19 in Ankara, Turkey, after a protracted illness.
Ebienfa said the process of replacing the two affected nominees is ongoing.
The spokesperson did not name the other two countries where appointments are still pending. He, however, said assurances have been received that their consent would be conveyed in due course.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs wishes to assure Nigerians and 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 said.
Ebienfa added that the majority of the 65 cleared ambassadors have already arrived in their host countries and presented their letters of credence, and have commenced their duties as Nigeria’s principal envoys.
