President Tinubu Approves New Ambassador Appointments – See Full List

In a move to strengthen Nigeria’s global diplomatic ties, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the postings of 31 career ambassadors and 34 non-career ambassadors to various countries and international organisations, including the United Nations. This follows the confirmation of these diplomats by the Nigerian Senate in December of the previous year.

The appointed diplomats are set to represent Nigeria in diverse locations, contributing to foreign relations, economic diplomacy, and global image.

Non-Career Ambassadors / High Commissioners

Non-career ambassadors, often appointed based on political considerations or notable contributions to national service, play an essential role in representing Nigeria in key diplomatic posts across the globe.

The following individuals have been approved by President Tinubu for posting as non-career ambassadors:

1. Senator Grace Bent – Togo (Lome)

   
   
   
   
   

2. Senator Ita Enang – South Africa

3. Ikpeazu Victor – Spain

4. Nkechi Linda Ufochukwu – Israel (Tel Aviv)

5. Mahmud Yakubu – Qatar

6. Paul Oga Adikwu – Vatican City, Holy See

7. Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas – Philippines

8. Reno Omokri – Mexico City, Mexico

9. Hon. (Engr.) Abasi Braimah (FMHR) – Budapest, Hungary

10. Mrs. Erelu Angela Adebayo – Portugal

11. Barr. Olumilua Oluwayimika Ayotunwa – Tokyo, Japan

12. Rt. Hon. Ugwuanyi Ifeanyi Lawrence – Athens, Greece

13. Barr. Chioma Priscilla Ohakim – Warsaw, Poland

14. Aminu Dalhatu – United Kingdom (UK)

15. Lt. Gen. Abdulrahman Bello Dambazau – Beijing, China

16. Hon. Tasiu Musa Maigari – Gambia

17. Olufemi Pedro – Australia

18. Barr. Muhammed Ubandoma Aliyu – Argentina

19. Lateef Kayode Are – USA

20. Amb. Joseph Sola Iji – Russia

21. Senator Jimoh Ibrahim – United Nations Permanent Representative

22. Femi Fani-Kayode – Germany

23. Prof. Isaak Folorunso Adewole – Ottawa, Canada

24. Ajimobi Fatima Florence – Austria

25. Mrs. Lola Akande – Sweden

26. Ayodele Oke – France

27. Yakubu N. Gambo – Saudi Arabia

28. Senator Prof. Nora Ladi Daduut – Seoul, South Korea

29. Barr. Onueze Chukwujika Joe Okocha SAN – Dublin, Ireland

30. Dr. Kulu Haruna Abubakar – Tunis, Tunisia

31. Rt. Hon. Jerry Samuel Manwe – Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago (T&T)

These appointments signify a strategic selection of individuals with diverse backgrounds, ranging from former lawmakers, military officers, and political figures to professionals and advocates with significant international influence.

Career Ambassadors/High Commissioners

Career ambassadors, who are often senior diplomats in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, represent Nigeria in various international settings. Their appointments are grounded in their long-standing careers in the diplomatic service.

Below is the list of career ambassadors approved by President Tinubu:

1. Amb. Nwabiola Ezenwa Chukwumeka – Cote d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast)

2. Besto Maimuna Ibrahim – Niamey, Niger

3. Monica Okwuchukwu Enebichi – Sao Tome, Sao Tome and Principe

4. Amb. Mohammed Mahmud Lele – Algiers, Algeria

5. Endoni Syndoph Paebi – Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso

6. Ahmed Mohammed Monguno – Cairo, Egypt

7. Amb. Jane Adams (Nee Okon) Michael (F) – Kingston, Jamaica

8. Amb. Clark-Omeru Alexandra (F) – Lusaka, Zambia

9. Chima Geoggrey Lioma David – Bamako, Mali

10. Amb. Odumah Yvonne Ehinosen – Malabo, Equatorial Guinea

11. Amb. Wasa Segun Ige – Beirut, Lebanon

12. Ruben Abimbola Samuel (F) – Rome, Italy

13. Amb. Onaga Ogechukwu Kingsley – Maputo, Mozambique

14. Amb. Magaji Umar – Kinshasa, DR Congo

15. Amb. Muhammad Saidu Dahiru – New Delhi, India

16. Amb. Abdussalam Habu Zayyad – Dakar, Senegal

17. Amb. Shehu Ilu Barde – Accra, Ghana

18. Amb. Aminu Nasir – Ethiopia

19. Abubakar Musa Musa – N’Djamena, Chad

20. Amb. Haidara Mohammed Idris – The Hague, Netherlands

21. Amb. Bako Adamu Umar – Rabat, Morocco

22. Amb. Sulu Gambari Olatunji Ahmed – Malaysia

23. Amb. Romata Mohammed Omobolanle (F) – Tanzania

24. Amb. Shaga John Shamah – Botswana

25. Salau, Hamza Mohammed – Tehran, Iran

26. Amb. Ibrahim Danlami – Kenya

27. Ibrahim Adeola Mopelola (F) – Cotonou, Benin

28. Amb. Ayeni Adebayo Emmanuel – Brussels, Belgium

29. Amb. Akande Wahab Adekola – Berne, Switzerland

30. Amb. Arewa (Nee Adedokun) Esther (F) – Windhoek, Namibia

31. Amb. Gergadi Joseph John – Libreville, Gabon

32. Amb. Luther Ogbomode Ayo-Kalata (F) – Sierra Leone

33. Danladi Yakubu Nyaku – Khartoum, Sudan

34. Bello Dogon-Daji Haliru – Bangkok, Thailand

These career diplomats are expected to maintain and enhance Nigeria’s relationships with their respective host countries. Their expertise and experience in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will be pivotal in strengthening Nigeria’s international partnerships and advancing its global interests.

Diplomatic Procedures and Agrément Process

In line with standard diplomatic practice, after the approval of the ambassadors and high commissioners, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs immediately communicated with the respective countries to seek “agrément”—the formal agreement of the host country to accept the ambassador or high commissioner.

The Ministry has already received agrément from the United Kingdom for Ambassador Aminu Dalhatu (designated to the UK), and from France for Ambassador Ayo Oke (designated to France). This approval is an essential step before these diplomats can formally assume their roles.

Further, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has initiated the necessary diplomatic processes for the remaining 62 appointees, sending their nominations to the countries concerned and seeking agréments as required.

Induction Programme for Ambassadors-Designate

To ensure that the newly appointed diplomats are well-prepared for their duties, President Tinubu has instructed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to commence an induction programme for all ambassadors-designate and high commissioners.

This programme will equip them with the knowledge and tools necessary for effective representation and the fulfillment of Nigeria’s foreign policy objectives.

The induction will cover various aspects of diplomatic protocol, international relations, and strategies for promoting Nigeria’s interests abroad.

Conclusion

The approval of the postings for the new ambassadors and high commissioners by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is an important step in Nigeria’s efforts to bolster diplomatic influence globally.

With a mix of career diplomats and non-career appointees, these new representatives are tasked with advancing Nigeria’s diplomatic, economic, and security interests worldwide. The commencement of their induction programme marks the beginning of their journey to enhance Nigeria’s presence on the international stage.

The success of this initiative will depend largely on the ability of these ambassadors to navigate complex global challenges, foster stronger bilateral and multilateral relationships, and ensure that Nigeria’s voice is heard in international forums.