By Amofokhai Williams
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the deployment of 65 ambassadors to Nigerian diplomatic missions across the world and to the United Nations, marking a major step in the reorganisation of the country’s foreign service.
The postings include 31 career diplomats and 34 non-career ambassadors, whose nominations were earlier confirmed by the Nigerian Senate in December.
A statement issued on Friday by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said the appointments are part of efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s diplomatic engagement and representation abroad.
Among the non-career ambassadors, former senator Grace Bent will serve in Togo, while former presidential adviser Ita Enang has been posted to South Africa.
Former Abia State governor Okezie Ikpeazu is to head Nigeria’s mission in Spain, while media personality Reno Omokri will serve as Nigeria’s envoy to Mexico.
Other notable postings include former Interior Minister Abdulrahman Bello Dambazau to China, former Lagos deputy governor Olufemi Pedro to Australia, and businessman Jimoh Ibrahim as Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations.
Also appointed are former Aviation Minister Femi Fani-Kayode to Germany, former Health Minister Isaac Adewole to Canada, and former Director-General of the Department of State Services, Ayodele Oke, to France.
In the career diplomatic cadre, Nigeria’s missions will be headed by experienced envoys across several countries, including Egypt, India, Ghana, Kenya, Morocco, Belgium, Switzerland, and Thailand, among others.
According to the presidency, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has already secured diplomatic approval (agrément) from the United Kingdom for Ambassador Aminu Dalhatu, who will serve as High Commissioner, while France has also granted agreement for Ambassador Ayo Oke.
The ministry has formally transmitted the nominations of the remaining 62 envoys to their respective host countries, requesting diplomatic clearance in line with established international practice.
President Tinubu has also directed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to commence the induction programme for the ambassadors-designate and High Commissioners ahead of their deployment to various missions.
