President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the official postings of 65 ambassadors-designate and high commissioners to various countries and international organisations, including the United Nations.
Among the prominent appointees are former Aviation Minister Femi Fani-Kayode, who has been assigned to Germany, and former presidential aide Reno Omokri, who will serve in Mexico.
The announcement was made in a statement issued by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga. According to him, the list comprises 34 non-career ambassadors and 31 career diplomats who have now been assigned to their respective missions.
Other notable political appointees include former Interior Minister Abdulrahman Dambazau, who has been posted to China.
Businessman and senator Jimoh Ibrahim will serve as Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations.
Additional appointments include: Ita Enang – South Africa, Okezie Ikpeazu – Spain, Isaac Adewole – Canada, Lateef Kayode Are – United States, Grace Bent – Togo and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi – Greece
A close associate of the President, Aminu Dalhatu, has been appointed High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, while former Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, Ayodele Oke, will serve in France.
Other postings include: Fatima Ajimobi – Austria, Lola Akande – Sweden, Joe-Kyari Okocha – Ireland, Ibok-Ete Ibas – Philippines, Paul Adikwu – Vatican City
Further appointments include representatives to Israel, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, and Tunisia, among others.
Several career diplomats from the Nigerian Foreign Service were also deployed to key missions. These include:
Ambassador Mohammed Mahmud Lele – Algeria, Ambassador Shehu Barde – Ghana, Ambassador Aminu Nasir – Ethiopia.
Others were posted to countries including Kenya, Belgium, Switzerland, Egypt, India, Senegal, Morocco, Malaysia, Iran and Thailand.
According to Onanuga, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has already secured diplomatic approval (agrément) from the United Kingdom for Dalhatu and from France for Oke. Requests for approval have also been sent to other host countries for the remaining envoys.
Agreement is the formal diplomatic consent given by a host nation before an ambassador can officially assume duty.
President Tinubu has also directed the ministry to organise an induction programme for the ambassadors-designate and high commissioners before they proceed to their respective missions.
The Nigerian Senate confirmed all 65 nominees in December 2025 after screening them through its Committee on Foreign Affairs.
Nigeria currently maintains diplomatic missions in more than 100 countries around the world, including embassies, high commissions and consulates.
The new appointments mark the first major ambassadorial deployment since the last set made in 2017 during the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari. The envoys are expected to begin their assignments after completing their induction and receiving approval from their host countries.
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