• Elevates 19 Foreign Service Officers to Ambassadors-in-Situ
• Germany didn’t reject my nomination, says Fani-Kayode

The Federal Government has confirmed that many countries, including the United Kingdom (UK), France and the United States (U.S.), have agreed to Nigeria’s ambassadorial nominees, signalling progress in efforts to fill long-vacant diplomatic positions.

Also, it invested 19 officers of the Nigerian Foreign Service as Ambassadors-in-Situ, marking a significant milestone in their careers.

Meanwhile, former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, has said he was not rejected by the German government as an ambassador.

Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, disclosed yesterday that the process of securing approval from host countries is ongoing.

“I wish to inform you that the process of receiving agreements from the countries the ambassadors-designate are posted to is ongoing. We have received agreements from the UK, France, U.S., Ireland, Qatar, Benin Republic, Ethiopia/Djibouti, Senegal, Sierra Leone, among others,” he said.

Ebienfa added that the date for the envoys’ induction ceremony would be announced once it is finalised and approved by the Presidency.

The development came after a prolonged period in which Nigeria operated without substantive ambassadors in many foreign missions under President Bola Tinubu.

Since assuming office in May 2023, Tinubu had delayed fresh ambassadorial appointments, leaving several key diplomatic posts vacant and relying largely on chargés d’affaires to manage missions.

The absence of ambassadors drew criticism from stakeholders, who warned that it could weaken Nigeria’s diplomatic influence and bilateral engagements, especially in strategic countries.

To plug the gap, the Presidency eventually forwarded a list of 65 ambassadorial nominees to the National Assembly late in 2025.

However, despite the screening in December, deployment of the envoys remained subject to the receipt of agrément from host countries; a standard diplomatic requirement before ambassadors can assume duty.

The latest confirmation by the ministry indicates that the process is gradually nearing completion, with approvals already secured from major global partners and regional allies.

IN a statement yesterday, Ebienfa disclosed that the investiture recognised the 19 officers’ dedication, excellence and contributions to advancing Nigeria’s foreign policy objectives.

The 19 officers earned the title of Ambassador-in-Situ following their promotion to the rank of Deputy Director in the Federal Civil Service.

Speaking on behalf of the honourees, Ambassador Suleiman Ousman expressed gratitude to the Federal Government, pledging that the newly invested ambassadors would continue to serve with integrity, professionalism and commitment to national interests.

The investiture was presided over by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, and attended by senior government officials, public office holders, and distinguished guests.

AN online medium had reported yesterday that Fani-Kayode’s ambassadorial posting was rejected over alleged ethnic and religious slurs.

Tinubu had approved the posting of the former minister as an ambassador-designate to a Central European country.

However, the online platform claimed that the German government rejected Fani-Kayode’s posting on March 13, 2026.

According to the report, the German authorities cited his “erratic behaviour” and “controversial past statements, particularly his divisive ethnocentric, tribalistic, and religious fundamentalist comments in Nigeria,” which they described as “destabilising.”
as saying that Fani-Kayode might be redeployed to South Africa as an ambassador.

However, in a post on his official X handle yesterday, Fani-Kayode dismissed the report as false, accusing opposition politicians of being behind it. He said the opposition was “pained” by his appointment and was making efforts to discredit him.

The former minister vowed to serve the country despite what he described as attempts to undermine his nomination.

“Fake news everywhere! These opposition elements are so pained by my appointment, and they are doing everything to discredit me and scuttle it. Whether they like it or not, I will serve my country! Keep crying!” he wrote.