Nigeria’s ‘Floating Ambassador’ Finally Finds a Country as Mexico Approves Reno Omokri

After months of diplomatic limbo, Nigeria’s ambassador-designate to Mexico, Reno Omokri, has finally secured the host country’s approval, ending his long wait for a diplomatic destination to become official.

The Mexican government has granted agrément for Omokri’s appointment as Nigeria’s ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary to Mexico, with concurrent accreditation to Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua.

Omokri announced the development on Tuesday via his official X handle, saying José Manuel Briseño Flores, chargé d’affaires of the Mexican Embassy in Abuja, had delivered the approval to Babagana Wakil, director of protocol at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

“To God be the glory,” Omokri wrote, announcing that the Mexican government had accepted his appointment.

The approval brings an end to months of uncertainty surrounding the posting, which had earned Omokri the unofficial description of Nigeria’s “floating ambassador” while he awaited diplomatic clearance.

President Bola Tinubu had approved the posting of 65 ambassadors-designate and high commissioners in March, assigning Omokri to Mexico. However, the appointment could not proceed without Mexico’s formal consent.

In August, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs disclosed that Mexico and Japan were among the countries yet to communicate approval for two outstanding ambassadorial appointments.

The ministry said it was engaging the relevant authorities and expressed confidence that the outstanding approvals would eventually come through.

Now that Mexico has finally said yes, Omokri’s diplomatic posting appears to have found firmer ground after months of waiting.

Under diplomatic protocol, agrément is the formal consent a receiving country must grant before an ambassador can be appointed to serve there.

Omokri is yet to present his letter of credence to the Mexican government.

For Omokri, the long wait for that crucial diplomatic green light is over. Nigeria’s much-discussed “floating ambassador” now has a country ready to receive him, subject to the completion of any remaining formalities.