Nigeria Mourns Loss Of Consul General In Cameroon, Ambassador Taofik Obasanjo Coker.
The Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced the passing of Ambassador Taofik Obasanjo Coker, Nigeria’s Consul General in Buea, Cameroon. The 59-year-old diplomat died on Saturday, 16 August 2025, following a brief illness, leaving behind a legacy of dedicated service to his nation. The announcement was made on Wednesday, 20 August, in a statement by the ministry’s spokesperson, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, who described Coker’s death as a profound loss to Nigeria’s diplomatic community.
Ambassador Coker, appointed as Consul General in Buea in April 2024, assumed his role in May, pledging to strengthen ties between Nigeria and Cameroon. His tenure, though brief, was marked by a commitment to supporting the large Nigerian community in Cameroon’s South-West and North-West regions, where the consulate, established in 1961, serves over 65% of the estimated four million Nigerians residing in the country. Prior to his posting in Buea, Coker served with distinction in Nigeria’s diplomatic missions in Conakry, Guinea, and Shanghai, China, earning praise for his professionalism and dedication.
The ministry’s statement highlighted Coker’s exemplary career, noting his hard work and commitment to advancing Nigeria’s interests abroad. “His untimely death is a great loss to the diplomatic community and the nation at large,” Ebienfa said, extending heartfelt condolences to Coker’s family, colleagues, and friends. The statement also expressed prayers for the peaceful repose of his soul.
The Consulate General in Buea, one of Nigeria’s oldest diplomatic posts, plays a strategic role due to historical and geographical ties between Nigeria and Cameroon’s English-speaking regions. During the colonial era, these areas were administered by Britain as part of Nigeria until a 1961 plebiscite, when Southern Cameroon voted to join French Cameroon. Coker’s work focused on providing consular services and supporting the welfare of Nigerians, many of whom have deep economic and socio-cultural ties with Cameroon.
Tributes have poured in from across Nigeria and the diplomatic community, with many acknowledging Coker’s contributions to fostering bilateral relations. The Federal Government has expressed its deep sorrow, with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs vowing to honour his memory through continued efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s diplomatic presence in Cameroon.
As the nation grieves, details of memorial arrangements are yet to be announced. Ambassador Coker’s passing marks a significant loss for Nigeria, and his legacy as a devoted diplomat will be remembered by those he served.