Nigeria has formalised the postings of its envoys to the United Kingdom, France and the United Nations, following the receipt of agrément from the respective host authorities.
The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Amb Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, presented the Letters of Credence on behalf of President Bola Tinubu, marking a key step in the formal accreditation of the country’s diplomatic representatives.
The envoys include Amb Aminu Dalhatu (UK), Amb Ayodele Oke (France), and Amb Jimoh Ibrahim as Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu, in a post on X on Tuesday, described the ceremony held for the ambassador-designates as a key step in formally accrediting Nigeria’s diplomatic representatives to their respective host countries.
The statement read, “Honoured to present Letters of Credence on behalf of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, H.E President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to Ambassador-Designates of Nigeria,” she said.
The minister explained that in diplomatic practice, Letters of Commission, more commonly referred to as Letters of Credence, serve as formal instruments issued by a head of state to another head of state, introducing and accrediting ambassadors.
According to her, the documents authorise envoys to represent their country’s interests and request that host nations extend trust and recognition to them.
She added, “Letters of Credence are formal, physical letters issued by a head of state or head of government to another head of state, introducing a newly appointed ambassador or high commissioner and officially accrediting a diplomat to a foreign nation, authorising them to represent their home country’s interests and act on its behalf, and requesting the host country to give ‘credence’ (trust) to that representative.”
The minister congratulated the appointees and wished them a successful tour of duty in service to the nation.
On March 7, 2026, President Bola Tinubu approved the postings of 65 ambassadors-designate and high commissioners to various countries and the United Nations.
The Senate had confirmed all 65 nominees in December 2025 following screening by the Committee on Foreign Affairs.
Of the 65 ambassador nominees, 10 had been granted their agrément.
Agrément is the formal consent given by a host country to accept a diplomat nominated by another nation, a prerequisite before an ambassador can formally assume duty.
The Federal Government, in a statement last week, confirmed that the United Kingdom, France, the United States, Ireland, Qatar, the Republic of Benin, Ethiopia, Djibouti, Senegal and Sierra Leone had granted agrément.
“Responses from other countries are still being awaited,” the statement added.
The PUNCH