Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Thursday, January 22, 2026, approved the posting of four ambassador-designates to critical diplomatic missions, marking the first major assignments from a batch of 67 (or in some reports, 68) nominees confirmed by the Senate in December 2025. The move aims to fill long-standing vacancies in Nigeria's foreign representations and strengthen bilateral ties with major global partners.
According to a statement issued by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, President Tinubu confirmed Ambassador Ayodele Oke as Nigeria's ambassador-designate to France and Colonel Lateef Are (also referred to as Lateef Kayode Are) as ambassador-designate to the United States of America. Additionally, Ambassador Amin Dalhatu, who previously served as Nigeria's ambassador to South Korea, was named high commissioner-designate to the United Kingdom. Usman Isa Dakingari Suleiman, the former governor of Kebbi State, was designated as ambassador to Türkiye (Turkey), where President Tinubu is scheduled to undertake a state visit in the coming week.
“In a memo to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, President Tinubu urged the ministry to notify the governments of the four countries about the ambassador-designates, in accordance with diplomatic procedures,” the statement read. This step follows standard international protocol, where receiving nations must grant agrément (formal approval) before ambassadors can assume duties.
The postings come after a prolonged period of diplomatic understaffing, with many Nigerian missions abroad operating without substantive heads for nearly two years. In November and December 2025, President Tinubu forwarded multiple lists of nominees to the Senate for screening and confirmation. The Senate, under the leadership of its Committee on Foreign Affairs chaired by Senator Sani Bello, vetted the candidates and confirmed them in batches. Initial reports indicated 64 confirmations on December 18, 2025, following earlier approvals of three non-career nominees, bringing the total to 67 or 68 depending on counting discrepancies in media reports. Of these, 34 are career ambassadors—professional diplomats who have risen through the ranks of Nigeria's foreign service—while the remainder are non-career appointees, often selected for their expertise, political experience, or loyalty to the administration.
Career ambassadors typically bring deep institutional knowledge of multilateral diplomacy, protocol, and negotiation, honed through years of service in various postings. Non-career ambassadors, by contrast, often include retired military officers, former politicians, technocrats, or business leaders who offer fresh perspectives or specialized skills in areas like security, trade, or regional relations.
Ambassador Ayodele Oke, posted to France, is a seasoned diplomat with a background that includes high-level intelligence roles; he formerly served as Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA). His appointment to Paris—one of Nigeria's key European partners—signals intent to bolster ties in trade, security cooperation, and cultural exchanges, particularly as France maintains significant influence in West Africa through historical and economic links.
Colonel Lateef Are, designated for the United States, brings a distinguished military and intelligence background. Commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in December 1974 from the Nigerian Defence Academy (Regular Course 12), Are rose through the ranks in the Directorate of Military Intelligence, retiring as a colonel. He holds a First Class Honours degree in Psychology from the University of Ibadan (1980) and a Master's in International Law and Diplomacy from the University of Lagos (1987). His posting to Washington, D.C., comes at a pivotal time for Nigeria-U.S. relations, encompassing counterterrorism collaboration, economic partnerships under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), and diaspora engagement with the large Nigerian-American community.
Ambassador Amin Dalhatu, assigned as high commissioner to the United Kingdom, previously represented Nigeria in South Korea. His experience in Asia and familiarity with Commonwealth dynamics position him well to advance Nigeria's interests in London, focusing on investment, education ties, and post-Brexit trade opportunities.
The designation of Usman Isa Dakingari Suleiman to Türkiye aligns with President Tinubu's upcoming state visit to Ankara, expected around late January 2026. Discussions during the visit are anticipated to cover security cooperation—particularly in counterterrorism and defense procurement—as well as trade, investment in infrastructure, and energy sectors. Türkiye has emerged as an important partner for Nigeria in recent years, with growing defense ties (including drone technology) and economic collaborations.
The appointments reflect President Tinubu's "Renewed Hope" agenda emphasis on revitalizing Nigeria's global standing through proactive diplomacy. Filling these high-profile posts is seen as essential for advancing national interests in multilateral forums, attracting foreign direct investment, and addressing challenges like insecurity, economic diversification, and climate resilience through international partnerships.
However, the process has not been without minor controversy. Initial announcements on January 22 included all four postings, but subsequent clarifications from the Presidency on January 23 withdrew or corrected the Türkiye assignment for Dakingari, stating no ambassador has yet been appointed there, possibly due to a mix-up or pending agrément. This adjustment underscores the procedural sensitivities in diplomatic postings.
As the nominees prepare for potential accreditation ceremonies and assume duties, expectations are high for them to contribute to Nigeria's foreign policy objectives, including enhancing economic diplomacy, promoting the welfare of Nigerians in the diaspora, and strengthening regional stability within ECOWAS and the African Union.
The remaining confirmed nominees await similar postings in the coming months, with the administration prioritizing strategic missions to restore full diplomatic functionality across the globe.
