March 6, 2026
News
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the deployment of dozens of Nigerian ambassadors to countries and international missions across the world, confirming an earlier report by Sahara Reporters.
The confirmation was announced on Friday in a statement by presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga, who disclosed that the president approved the postings of 31 career diplomats and 34 non-career ambassadors to key diplomatic missions, including the United Nations.
The ambassadorial nominees had earlier been confirmed by the Nigerian Senate in December.
Among the most prominent appointments is former presidential aide Reno Omokri, who has been posted as Nigeria’s ambassador to Mexico City, Mexico. Former Aviation Minister Femi Fani‑Kayode was assigned to Germany, a move expected to generate political debate due to his outspoken political career.
Also on the list is former chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Mahmood Yakubu, who has been posted to Qatar.
Other notable political figures appointed include former Akwa Ibom military governor Ibok‑Ete Ekwe Ibas, assigned to the Philippines, and former Interior Minister Abdulrahman Bello Dambazau, who will represent Nigeria in China.
Businessman and former senator Jimoh Ibrahim was named Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, while former Minister of Health Isaac Folorunso Adewole will serve as ambassador to Canada.
Former Lagos State Deputy Governor Olufemi Pedro has been posted to Australia, and former Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, Ayodele Oke, will represent Nigeria in France.
According to the presidency, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Nigeria) has already secured agrément from the United Kingdom for ambassador-designate Aminu Dalhatu, who will serve as Nigeria’s High Commissioner to the UK. French authorities have also granted agrément for Ayodele Oke.
The ministry has formally notified other countries of the remaining ambassadorial nominations and requested agréments in line with international diplomatic procedures.
President Tinubu further directed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Nigeria) to begin induction and orientation programmes for the ambassadors-designate ahead of their official deployment.
The appointments come after months of delays that left several Nigerian diplomatic missions abroad without substantive ambassadors following the recall of envoys shortly after President Tinubu assumed office in 2023.
Alongside the political appointees, career diplomats were posted to several countries including Ghana, India, Morocco, Kenya, Malaysia, Belgium, Switzerland, Iran, Sudan, and Thailand, among others.
The latest diplomatic postings signal the administration’s effort to fully restore Nigeria’s diplomatic presence across global missions after nearly three years of vacancies.
— SUNTV Global Channel Reporting
