President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the deployment of 65 ambassadors-designate to Nigeria’s foreign missions across the world, including the United Nations, following their confirmation by the Nigerian Senate last December.
The approval, which covers 31 non-career and 34 career ambassadors, was disclosed in a statement issued by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
According to the statement, the ambassadors have been assigned to strategic diplomatic posts across Europe, Africa, Asia, the Americas and key multilateral institutions as part of efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s diplomatic engagement globally.
Among the prominent non-career appointees is former presidential aide Reno Omokri, who was posted to Mexico, while former Minister of Health Isaac Folorunso Adewole will serve as Nigeria’s envoy to Canada.
Former Minister of Aviation Femi Fani-Kayode was posted to Germany, while former Minister of Defence Abdulrahman Bello Dambazau will represent Nigeria in China.
Others include former presidential aide Ita Solomon Enang, assigned to South Africa; former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Mahmood Yakubu, posted to Qatar; and businessman Jimoh Ibrahim, who will serve as Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations.
Also on the list are former Lagos State Deputy Governor Olufemi Pedro, posted to Australia; security expert Lateef Kayode Are, assigned to the United States; and former Rivers State Administrator Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, deployed to the Philippines.
In the career ambassador category, several senior diplomats were posted to key missions including Egypt, India, Ghana, Iran, Belgium, Switzerland and Kenya.
The Presidency further disclosed that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Nigeria) has already secured agrément from the United Kingdom for Nigeria’s High Commissioner-designate, Ambassador Aminu Dalhatu.
Similarly, the government of France has granted agrément for Ambassador Ayo Oke.
The ministry has also formally notified other host countries of the designated envoys and requested the necessary agrément in line with established diplomatic procedures.
President Tinubu also directed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to immediately commence an induction programme for the ambassadors-designate and high commissioners ahead of their formal deployment to their respective missions.
