The approval paves the way for the former presidential aide to represent Nigeria in Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua.
The Mexican government has formally approved the appointment of former presidential aide Reno Omokri as Nigeria’s ambassador to Mexico, bringing an end to eight months of uncertainty surrounding his diplomatic posting.
Omokri announced the development on Tuesday, 20 October, in a post on his official social media account, disclosing that the Mexican government had communicated its acceptance through its diplomatic mission in Abuja.
He said José Manuel Briseño Flores, Chargé d’Affaires of the Embassy of Mexico in Nigeria, delivered the diplomatic approval, known as agrément, to Ambassador Babagana Wakil, Director of Protocol at Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The approval confirms Omokri’s appointment as Nigeria’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Mexico. It also covers his concurrent accreditation to Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua, meaning he will represent Nigeria in four countries.
“To God be the glory,” Omokri wrote in announcing the development.
How the delay unfolded
President Bola Tinubu nominated Omokri for an ambassadorial position in November 2025, alongside several other nominees, including former Aviation Minister Femi Fani-Kayode and former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Mahmood Yakubu.
The Nigerian Senate subsequently confirmed the ambassadorial nominees in December 2025.
On 6 March 2026, President Tinubu approved the deployment of 65 ambassadors-designate and high commissioners to various diplomatic missions, with Omokri assigned to Mexico City.
However, his posting remained pending because Mexico had yet to communicate its formal acceptance of his appointment.
In August, Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs disclosed that Mexico and Japan were among the countries whose formal diplomatic approvals for Nigerian ambassador-designates were still outstanding.
The ministry said it was engaging the countries concerned and expressed confidence that the outstanding approvals would be secured.
The delay generated public discussion about Omokri’s diplomatic future, particularly after reports emerged of opposition to his nomination from some Nigerians abroad.
Omokri had previously dismissed suggestions that Mexico had rejected his appointment, maintaining that the delay did not amount to a formal rejection.
What the approval means
Agrément is the formal consent granted by a host country before a diplomat nominated by another country can be appointed as its ambassador. It is a key requirement in the diplomatic appointment process.
Mexico’s approval removes a major hurdle to Omokri’s posting, although the completion of the remaining formalities, including the presentation of his credentials, will determine when he formally assumes his diplomatic duties.
Before his nomination, Omokri served as a media aide to former President Goodluck Jonathan and later became widely known for his political commentary and public interventions on Nigerian affairs.
His diplomatic assignment is expected to provide an opportunity for Nigeria to strengthen its bilateral relations with Mexico and deepen engagement with Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua.
The latest development brings a prolonged period of uncertainty over his posting to a close, following months of waiting for the necessary diplomatic clearance.
