Mexico’s World Cup Hosting Delaying My Resumption As Ambassador – Reno Omokri

Nigeria’s ambassador-designate to Mexico, Reno Omokri, has dismissed reports that the Mexican government rejected his diplomatic appointment, attributing the delay in his resumption in Mexico City to the country’s preoccupation with preparations and hosting of the ongoing 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Omokri made the clarification on Monday night during an interview on Channels Television’s ‘Politics Today’ while responding to questions about his delayed deployment months after other newly appointed Nigerian envoys have resumed duties in their host countries.

Asked whether Mexico had rejected his appointment, Omokri said: “No, no, Mexico has not rejected me. Not at all.

“You should understand that Mexico is right now hosting the World Cup along with the United States of America and all of their focus is on that. And having said that, most of us as ambassadors have not resumed. So I’m not the vast majority in my situation.”

He added that the delay was not unusual and should not be interpreted as a diplomatic snub.

“But it’s okay, you know, I mean, these things happen, we understand that it’s not something we should be talking about on television, but I’m not being rejected,” he added.

When reminded that his nomination generated controversy and concerns earlier that some countries might decline to accept him, Omokri dismissed the claims as politically motivated.

“Well, I mean, that is from the opposition, you know, and the opposition would always say things like that.

“We do not work on the basis of the opposition, we work on the basis of reality. And the reality of it is that we have countries in the world that respect Nigeria, and they’re going to be taking Nigeria’s envoys,” he stated.

Recall that President Bola Tinubu approved ambassadorial postings on March 6, 2026, assigning Omokri to serve as Nigeria’s Ambassador to Mexico.

Following the announcement, reports emerged suggesting that Omokri’s appointment had faced resistance. However, there has been no official indication that the Mexican government rejected his nomination save for the fact he hasn’t resumed at this duty post months after.

The controversy stemmed largely from petitions and campaigns by some Nigerians in the diaspora urging Mexican authorities not to accept Omokri’s appointment.

Several reports in March 2026 indicated that diaspora groups and individuals, including political commentator Valentine Obienyem, wrote to Mexican authorities requesting that Omokri’s diplomatic posting be declined.

Despite the speculation, Omokri maintained that Mexico had not rejected him and insisted that the delay in his deployment was linked to administrative and logistical factors associated with the country’s preparations and hosting of the ongoing 2026 FIFA World Cup tournament, which it is co-hosting with the United States and Canada.