President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the posting of 65 ambassadors-designate to Nigeria’s foreign missions and multilateral institutions across the globe, including the United Nations, in a move aimed at strengthening the country’s diplomatic presence and advancing its foreign policy objectives.
The list comprises 34 non-career ambassadors and 31 career diplomats, whose nominations were earlier confirmed by the Nigerian Senate in December.
The new diplomatic postings reflect a mix of political appointees and seasoned diplomats, with several prominent figures assigned to strategic missions across Europe, Asia, the Americas, and Africa.
Among the most notable postings is that of former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, who has been deployed to Germany. Former presidential aide Reno Omokri will serve as Nigeria’s ambassador to Mexico City, Mexico.
Another significant appointment is that of Nkechi Linda Ufochukwu, who has been posted to Tel Aviv, Israel—a strategic diplomatic station given the longstanding cooperation between Nigeria and Israel in areas such as security, technology, and agriculture.
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Other prominent non-career appointments include Grace Bent to Lomé, Togo; Ita Enang to South Africa; Victor Ikpeazu to Spain; Mahmud Yakubu to Qatar; and Paul Oga Adikwu to The Vatican City (Holy See).
Similarly, retired naval chief Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas has been posted to the Philippines, while Abasi Braimah will represent Nigeria in Hungary. Angela Adebayo has been assigned to Portugal, Oluwayimika Ayotunwa Olumilua to Japan, and former Enugu State governor Ifeanyi Lawrence Ugwuanyi to Greece.
Additional postings include Chioma Priscilla Ohakim to Poland, Aminu Dalhatu to the United Kingdom, former Minister of Interior Abdulrahman Bello Dambazau to China, Tasiu Musa Maigari to The Gambia, and former Lagos State deputy governor Olufemi Pedro to Australia.
Others include Muhammed Ubandoma Aliyu to Argentina, Lateef Kayode Are to the United States, Joseph Sola Iji to Russia, and Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, who has been appointed as Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations.
Other high-profile assignments include Isaak Folorunso Adewole to Canada, Fatima Florence Ajimobi to Austria, Lola Akande to Sweden, and Ayodele Oke to France.
The postings also include several career diplomats across key African and global missions. Among them are Nwabiola Ezenwa Chukwumeka to Côte d’Ivoire, Maimuna Ibrahim Besto to Niger, Monica Okwuchukwu Enebichi to São Tomé and Príncipe, and Mohammed Mahmud Lele to Algeria.
Others include Endoni Syndoph Paebi to Burkina Faso, Ahmed Mohammed Monguno to Egypt, Jane Adams Michael to Jamaica, and Alexandra Clark-Omeru to Zambia.
Additional deployments cover missions in Mali, Equatorial Guinea, Lebanon, Italy, Mozambique, the Democratic Republic of Congo, India, Senegal, Ghana, Ethiopia, Chad, the Netherlands, Morocco, Malaysia, Tanzania, Botswana, Iran, Kenya, and the Benin Republic.
Further appointments include envoys to Belgium, Switzerland, Namibia, Gabon, Sierra Leone, Sudan, and Thailand.
Meanwhile, the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Nigeria) has already secured diplomatic agrément from the United Kingdom for High Commissioner-designate Aminu Dalhatu, while France has also granted agrément for Ayodele Oke.
According to the ministry, the nominations of the remaining envoys have been formally transmitted to their respective host countries for agrément in accordance with established diplomatic protocols.
In a statement issued on Friday by Bayo Onanuga, the Presidency said President Tinubu has also directed the Foreign Affairs Ministry to immediately commence an induction programme for the ambassadors-designate and high commissioners.
The orientation programme, according to the statement, will prepare the envoys for their diplomatic responsibilities before they depart for their respective postings.
Diplomatic analysts say the large-scale deployment marks a significant step in reinvigorating Nigeria’s foreign missions and strengthening its international engagement under the Tinubu administration.