President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the deployment of 65 ambassadors and high commissioners to Nigerian diplomatic missions across the world, a move aimed at strengthening the country’s foreign relations and expanding its global engagement.
The list, announced on Friday by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, comprises 31 non-career ambassadors—largely political appointees—and 34 career diplomats drawn from the foreign service.
According to the State House, the envoys were confirmed by the Nigerian Senate in December and are expected to assume duties after the completion of necessary diplomatic procedures, including the receipt of agrément from their host countries.
Among the prominent political figures appointed as non-career ambassadors is former Minister of Aviation Femi Fani-Kayode, who will represent Nigeria in Germany, while former Minister of Interior Abdulrahman Bello Dambazau has been posted to China.
Businessman and politician Jimoh Ibrahim was appointed Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, while former Lagos Deputy Governor Olufemi Pedro will serve as ambassador to Australia. Security expert Lateef Kayode Are is heading to the United States.
Other notable non-career appointees include former Abia State governor Okezie Ikpeazu, who has been posted to Spain; former Akwa Ibom State governor Udom Emmanuel’s ally Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas to the Philippines; and former presidential aide Reno Omokri to Mexico.
Also on the list are former Ekiti State governor’s widow Angela Adebayo to Portugal, former Health Minister Isaac Folorunso Adewole to Canada, and former Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, Ayodele Oke, to France.
In the career category, seasoned diplomats were assigned to key missions around the world. Ambassador Mohammed Mahmud Lele was posted to Algeria, while Ambassador Ahmed Mohammed Monguno will serve in Egypt.
Ambassador Muhammad Saidu Dahiru has been posted to India, Ambassador Abdussalam Habu Zayyad to Senegal, and Ambassador Shehu Ilu Barde to Ghana.
Other postings include Ambassador Bako Adamu Umar to Morocco, Ambassador Segun Ige to Lebanon, and Ambassador Adebayo Emmanuel Ayeni to Belgium.
The presidency disclosed that the United Kingdom has already granted agrément for Ambassador Aminu Dalhatu, who will serve as Nigeria’s High Commissioner in London. Similarly, France has approved the posting of Ambassador Ayo Oke.
Agrément requests have been forwarded to other host countries for the remaining envoys, in line with established diplomatic practice.
President Tinubu has also directed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Nigeria) to immediately commence an induction programme to prepare the ambassadors-designate and high commissioners for their assignments.
The new appointments are expected to fill long-standing vacancies in several Nigerian missions abroad and strengthen the country’s diplomatic presence across Africa, Europe, Asia, and the Americas.
The deployment marks one of the largest diplomatic postings since the beginning of the Tinubu administration and is seen as part of efforts to reposition Nigeria’s foreign policy and advance national interests on the global stage.
