President Bola Tinubu has approved the deployment of 65 ambassadors-designate and high commissioners to Nigeria’s diplomatic missions across the world, including the United Nations, as part of efforts to strengthen the country’s foreign relations.
The announcement was made on Friday by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, who stated that the list comprises 31 non-career ambassadors and 34 career diplomats assigned to various countries.
According to Onanuga, the nominees had earlier been confirmed by the Nigerian Senate in December 2025 following a screening exercise conducted by the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs.
Induction and Diplomatic Clearance
The Presidency disclosed that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been instructed to immediately begin an induction programme for the envoys. The ambassadors-designate will officially assume their roles after receiving agrément, the formal diplomatic approval granted by their respective host countries.
Onanuga also revealed that two countries have already granted approval for their assigned Nigerian envoys. The United Kingdom has accepted Aminu Dalhatu as Nigeria’s High Commissioner, while France has approved Ayodele Oke as Nigeria’s Ambassador to Paris. Requests for agrément for the remaining envoys have been sent to their host nations and are awaiting responses.
Key Non-Career Ambassadorial Appointments
Among the political appointees named as non-career ambassadors are several former lawmakers, technocrats, and public figures. Notable assignments include:
- Senator Grace Bent – Togo (Lomé)
- Senator Ita Enang – South Africa
- Ikpeazu Victor – Spain
- Nkechi Linda Ufochukwu – Israel (Tel Aviv)
- Mahmud Yakubu – Qatar
- Paul Oga Adikwu – Vatican City (Holy See)
- Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas – Philippines
- Reno Omokri – Mexico
- Angela Adebayo – Portugal
- Oluwayimika Ayotunwa – Japan (Tokyo)
- Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi – Greece (Athens)
- Chioma Priscilla Ohakim – Poland (Warsaw)
- Aminu Dalhatu – United Kingdom (High Commissioner)
- Abdulrahman Bello Dambazau – China (Beijing)
- Olufemi Pedro – Australia
- Muhammed Ubandoma Aliyu – Argentina
- Lateef Kayode Are – United States
- Joseph Sola Iji – Russia
- Senator Jimoh Ibrahim – Permanent Representative to the United Nations
- Femi Fani-Kayode – Germany
- Isaac Folorunso Adewole – Canada (Ottawa)
- Fatima Florence Ajimobi – Austria
- Lola Akande – Sweden
- Ayodele Oke – France
- Yakubu N. Gambo – Saudi Arabia
- Nora Ladi Daduut – South Korea (Seoul)
- Joe-Kyari Okocha – Ireland (Dublin)
- Kulu Haruna Abubakar – Tunisia (Tunis)
- Jerry Samuel Manwe – Trinidad and Tobago
Career Diplomats Assigned to Key Missions
The list also includes seasoned diplomats from Nigeria’s foreign service who were appointed to strategic missions around the world. Some of the postings include:
- Nwabiola Ezenwa Chukwumeka – Côte d’Ivoire
- Maimuna Ibrahim – Niger
- Monica Enebechi – São Tomé and Príncipe
- Mohammed Mahmud Lele – Algeria
- Ahmed Mohammed Monguno – Egypt
- Jane Adams – Jamaica
- Clark-Omeru Alexandra – Zambia
- Chima Geoffrey David – Mali
- Yvonne Ehinosen Odumah – Equatorial Guinea
- Segun Ige – Lebanon
- Ruben Abimbola Samuel – Italy
- Ogechukwu Kingsley Onaga – Mozambique
- Magaji Umar – Democratic Republic of Congo
- Muhammad Saidu Dahiru – India
- Abdussalam Habu Zayyad – Senegal
- Shehu Ilu Barde – Ghana
- Aminu Nasir – Ethiopia
- Abubakar Musa – Chad
- Haidara Mohammed Idris – Netherlands
- Bako Adamu Umar – Morocco
- Sulu Gambari Olatunji Ahmed – Malaysia
- Romata Omobolanle Mohammed – Tanzania
- Shaga John Shamah – Botswana
- Hamza Mohammed Salau – Iran
- Ibrahim Danlami – Kenya
- Adeola Mopelola Ibrahim – Benin
- Ayeni Adebayo Emmanuel – Belgium
- Akande Wahab Adekola – Switzerland
- Esther Arewa – Namibia
- Gergadi Joseph John – Gabon
- Luther Ogbomode Ayo-Kalata – Sierra Leone
- Danladi Yakubu Nyaku – Sudan
- Bello Dogon-Daji Haliru – Thailand
Strengthening Nigeria’s Global Representation
The appointments are expected to revitalize Nigeria’s diplomatic engagement globally, with envoys tasked with promoting economic cooperation, strengthening political ties, and advancing the country’s foreign policy priorities.
Once the induction programme is completed and agrément is granted by the respective host nations, the ambassadors will formally assume duties at Nigeria’s diplomatic missions abroad.
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