The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed that six of President Bola Tinubu’s ambassadorial nominees are currently pending formal approval from their respective host countries before they can officially assume their diplomatic roles. Ministry spokesperson Kimiebi Ebienfa noted that while 61 of the 69 total appointees have already secured the necessary agrément—the formal consent required by a receiving state—these final six are still awaiting clearance. Although the specific countries involved were not disclosed, the ministry expects these remaining approvals to be granted shortly.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Several other recently appointed ambassadors have already commenced their duties after presenting their Letters of Credence:

• Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, serving as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Qatar, presented his credentials to the Amir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, on July 2, 2026.

• Mohammed Idris Haidara, Nigeria’s Ambassador to the Netherlands, officially presented his credentials to King Willem-Alexander at the Noordeinde Palace on June 24, 2026.

• Amb. Ezenwa C. Nwaobiala began his mission in Côte d’Ivoire following the presentation of his credentials to President Alassane Ouattara on June 18, 2026.

• Florence Ajimobi, appointed as Ambassador and Permanent Representative to Austria and International Organisations in Vienna, presented her Copie d’Usage to the Chief of Protocol, Amb. Maximilian Hennig, on July 6, 2026.

During her presentation in Vienna, Ambassador Ajimobi emphasized Nigeria’s commitment to bolstering bilateral ties, pledging to prioritize collaboration in areas such as trade, investment, education, and multilateral diplomacy as she awaits the formal presentation of her credentials to President Alexander Van der Bellen.

The Federal Government is organizing the evacuation of 270 Nigerians from South Africa in response to escalating security threats and recurring xenophobic violence. This mission, which marks the fourth such operation, is scheduled for Tuesday, July 7, 2026, via a special Air Peace flight departing Lagos at 3:30 pm and returning from Johannesburg at midnight. The flight is slated to reach Murtala Muhammed International Airport around 5:00 am on Wednesday, July 8, pending operational factors.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, emphasized the government’s grave concern for its citizens’ safety, especially following the deaths of two Nigerians, Musa Yunana Joe and Charles Iroegbu, during the unrest. The Minister has formally requested that South African authorities conduct thorough investigations into these incidents and ensure the perpetrators are held accountable.

Highlighting that the security climate shows no signs of stabilization, Ambassador Odumegwu-Ojukwu noted that President Bola Tinubu has extended the evacuation program past the original June 30 cutoff. Nigerians remaining in South Africa are being urged to prioritize their personal safety over material assets and to complete their documentation to utilize the remaining flights. Following the flight on July 7, the final evacuation aircraft is expected to reach South Africa on July 10, 2026.

Aslam Aliyu, a long-time political ally of Atiku Abubakar within the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has announced her defection to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). In a statement released on Monday, Aliyu explained that her decision followed extensive reflection on Nigeria’s political landscape and a growing realization that the opposition lacks the capacity to offer alternative governance.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

• Lack of Solutions: Aliyu argued that the ADC offers no concrete rescue plan for Nigeria, focusing instead on criticizing the government without providing any viable policy alternatives.

• Two Decades of Loyalty: Having served within Atiku’s political camp for nearly 20 years, Aliyu stated that she had remained unwaveringly loyal but concluded that the opposition currently lacks a sustainable national development blueprint.

• Call for Progress: She emphasized that the country’s political culture must move beyond “theatrical criticism” and toward measurable progress.

• Endorsement of President Tinubu: Aliyu, who is from Zamfara State, called on Nigerian women, youths, and opposition members to abandon what she termed “counterproductive politics” and support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

• Confidence in 2027: Expressing her belief that there is “no vacancy” in the Aso Rock Villa, she predicted that President Tinubu would win the 2027 presidential election.