President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the official posting of 65 Nigerian ambassadors and high commissioners to diplomatic missions across the world, following their confirmation by the Senate last December.
Among those appointed is former presidential aide and political commentator Reno Omokri, who has been designated as Nigeria’s Ambassador to Mexico. The list also includes former aviation minister Femi Fani-Kayode, who will serve as Nigeria’s ambassador to Germany.
The appointments consist of 34 non-career diplomats and 31 career diplomats, reflecting a mix of political nominees and professional foreign service officers. Other notable non-career appointees include former Minister of Health Isaac Folorunso Adewole, posted to Canada, and former Minister of Defence, Abdulrahman Bello Dambazau, assigned to China. Businessman and senator Jimoh Ibrahim will represent Nigeria as Permanent Representative to the United Nations.
Several other political figures and public officials were also named in the non-career category, including Senator Grace Bent (Togo), Senator Ita Enang (South Africa), Ikpeazu Victor (Spain), Nkechi Linda Ufochukwu (Israel), Mahmud Yakubu (Qatar), and Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (Philippines).
The career diplomats posted to various countries include Ambassador Mohammed Mahmud Lele to Algeria, Ahmed Mohammed Monguno to Egypt, Ambassador Jane Adams Michael to Jamaica, Ambassador Shehu Ilu Barde to Ghana, Ambassador Muhammad Saidu Dahiru to India, and Ambassador Ibrahim Danlami to Kenya, among others across Africa, Europe, and Asia.
The presidency also disclosed that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has already received agreement from the United Kingdom and France for Aminu Dalhatu and Ayo Oke, confirming their acceptance as Nigeria’s envoys to the two countries. Requests for approval have also been sent to other host nations in line with diplomatic protocol.
Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, confirmed the development, adding that the president has directed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to commence induction programmes for the newly designated ambassadors before they assume duty at their respective postings.
