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Tag: ambassadors

  • FG to deploy Ambassadors in 2026, says Information Minister

    FG to deploy Ambassadors in 2026, says Information Minister

    Indications emerged on Monday that the recently cleared ambassadorial nominees will not assume duties at their various posts until 2026.

    The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, disclosed this during a press conference in Abuja. 

    He recalled that the Senate last week confirmed 67 ambassadorial nominees appointed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, following the recall of all Nigerian ambassadors in 2023.

    Idris explained that the confirmed nominees will first undergo an orientation programme before being deployed to their respective countries of assignment.

    Speaking at his end-of-year press briefing, the minister said the ambassadors’ eventual resumption would significantly enhance Nigeria’s diplomatic engagement and presence on the global stage.

    “In 2026, our newly appointed ambassadors will take up their posts in their countries of assignment, strengthening our bilateral relations and advancing our visibility and strategic engagements in the global community,” he said.

    On Nigeria’s international standing, Idris noted that the country has continued to play its role effectively and remains a respected global actor. 

    He added that Nigeria had resolved its issues with the United States through diplomatic channels, stressing that relations between both countries remain intact and undamaged.

    “On the international stage, in 2025, we navigated complex international diplomacy with maturity and principle. The recent diplomatic spat with the United States has been resolved through firm, respectful engagement, culminating in a strengthened partnership,” he said.

    To underscore his claim, the Minister revealed that Nigeria and the U.S recently signed a five-year bilateral health agreement running into over N5 billion. 

    “Just last week, the Federal Government of Nigeria signed a five-year, $5.1B bilateral health cooperation Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the government of the United States – in which the US will provide $2.1B in grant funding, while Nigeria commits $3 billion. This has been described as the largest co-investment by any country to date under the America First Global Health Strategy. It will strengthen Nigeria’s healthcare system, save lives, and attract investment.

    “Indeed, Nigeria is no longer on the side-lines; we are a confident and strategic partner on the global stage, defending our national interests and attracting beneficial partnerships. Just last month, we regained our Category C seat on the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Council for the 2026–2027 biennium, a celebrated comeback following 14 years of absence.

    “Also in 2025, various Nigerians assumed significant international positions across various sectors, including Chairperson of the Council of the World Customs Organisation, Executive Director of the World Health Organisation’s Health Emergencies Programme, Vice Chair of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Council, and Vice President of the International Association for Ports and Harbours in Tokyo. Additionally, this year we secured hosting rights for the Creative Africa Nexus (CANEX) 2026, and the Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF) 2027, one of the largest trade gatherings on the African continent.”

  • BREAKING: Tinubu nominates Ibas, Dambazau, others as ambassadors

    BREAKING: Tinubu nominates Ibas, Dambazau, others as ambassadors

    President Bola Tinubu has submitted a fresh list of non-career ambassadorial nominees to the Senate for confirmation.

    Among the nominees are the immediate past Sole Administrator of Rivers State and former Chief of Naval Staff, Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas; former presidential aide, Ita Enang; former Imo First Lady, Chioma Ohakim; and former Minister of Interior and ex–Chief of Army Staff, Abdulrahman Dambazau.

    Read Also: Ex-INEC chair Yakubu, Fani-Kayode, Omokri, Ibrahim named ambassadors

    The nominations were unveiled on Thursday during plenary, after Senate President Godswill Akpabio read the president’s letter to lawmakers.

    In the correspondence, Tinubu called for accelerated consideration to enable the federal government to fill critical foreign diplomatic positions.

    Following the announcement, Akpabio referred the list to the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, directing the panel to screen the nominees and submit its report within one week.

    Details shortly…

  • BREAKING: Tinubu nominates ex-INEC chair Yakubu, Fani-Kayode, Omokri, 29 others as ambassador

    BREAKING: Tinubu nominates ex-INEC chair Yakubu, Fani-Kayode, Omokri, 29 others as ambassador

    President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has transmitted a new list of 32 ambassadorial nominees to the Senate for confirmation, just days after submitting an initial batch of three names.

    In two separate letters addressed to Senate President Godswill Akpabio, President Tinubu urged the lawmakers to give swift consideration and approval to 15 career ambassadors and 17 non-career ambassadors.

    The list was released on Saturday in a statement by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy.

    According to the breakdown, four women were nominated as career ambassadors, while six women made the non-career category.

    Notable nominees in the non-career group include Barrister Ogbonnaya Kalu from Abia; former presidential aide Reno Omokri (Delta); former chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mahmud Yakubu; former Ekiti first lady, Erelu Angela Adebayo; and former Enugu governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi.

    Others are Tasiu Musa Maigari, the former speaker of the Katsina House of Assembly, Yakubu N. Gambo, a former Commissioner in Plateau State and former deputy executive secretary of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC).

    Professor Nora Ladi Daduut, a former senator from Plateau; Otunba Femi Pedro, a former deputy governor of Lagos State; Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, a former aviation minister from Osun State; and Barrister Nkechi Linda Ufochukwu from Anambra State are on the nomination list.

    Also on the list are former First Lady of Oyo, Fatima Florence Ajimobi, former Lagos Commissioner, Lola Akande, former Adamawa Senator, Grace Bent, former governor of Abia, Victor Okezie Ikpeazu, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, businessman, lawyer and Senator from Ondo State, and the former ambassador of Nigeria to the Holy See, Ambassador Paul Oga Adikwu from Benue State.

    Among the nominees for career ambassador and high commissioner-designates are: Enebechi Monica Okwuchukwu (Abia), Yakubu Nyaku Danladi (Taraba), Miamuna Ibrahim Besto (Adamawa), Musa Musa Abubakar (Kebbi), Syndoph Paebi Endoni (Bayelsa), Chima Geoffrey Lioma David (Ebonyi) and Mopelola Adeola-Ibrahim (Ogun).

    The other nominees are Abimbola Samuel Reuben (Ondo), Yvonne Ehinosen Odumah(Edo), Hamza Mohammed Salau (Niger), Ambassador Shehu Barde (Katsina), Ambassador Ahmed Mohammed Monguno (Borno), Ambassador Muhammad Saidu Dahiru (Kaduna), Ambassador Olatunji Ahmed Sulu Gambari (Kawara) and Ambassador Wahab Adekola Akande (Osun).

    The new nominees are expected to be posted to countries with which Nigeria maintains excellent and strategic bilateral relations, such as China, India, South Korea, Canada, Mexico, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, South Africa, Kenya, and to Permanent Missions such as the United Nations, UNESCO, and the African Union. All the nominees will know their diplomatic assignments after their confirmation by the Senate.

    Last week, President Tinubu sent three ambassadorial nominees for screening and confirmation. The nominees were Ambassador Ayodele Oke (Oyo), Ambassador Amin Mohammed Dalhatu (Jigawa), and Retired Colonel Lateef Kayode Are (Ogun). All three are in the pot for posting to the UK, USA, or France after their confirmation.

    President Bola Ahmed Tinubu said more nominees for ambassadorial positions will be announced soon.

  • FULL PROFILES: Meet ambassadors nominated by Tinubu for U.S, UK, France

    FULL PROFILES: Meet ambassadors nominated by Tinubu for U.S, UK, France

    President Bola Tinubu has asked the Senate to confirm the appointment of three non-career ambassadors. 

    This is coming nearly two years after Tinubu recalled all Nigerian ambassadors, both career and non‑career, in September 2023.  

    The nominees are Kayode Are of Ogun state, Aminu Dalhatu of Jigawa state, and Ayodele Oke of Oyo state.

    Here’s what you need to know about the nominees:

    AYODELE OKE, AMBASSADOR-DESIGNATE

    State of Origin: Oyo State  

    Status: Retired Career Diplomat & Former Director General, National Intelligence Agency (NIA)  

    Professional Summary:  

    Distinguished career diplomat with over three decades of service in Nigeria’s foreign affairs and intelligence sectors. Expertise in international relations, multilateral diplomacy, and national security. Served as Nigeria’s top intelligence chief from 2013 to 2017, overseeing covert operations and foreign intelligence. 

    Key Appointments  

    Director General, National Intelligence Agency (NIA) Federal Republic of Nigeria  

    November 2013 – October 2017  

    – Appointed by President Goodluck Jonathan; oversaw Nigeria’s external intelligence operations, including counter-terrorism and strategic intelligence gathering.  

    – Ambassador to the Commonwealth Secretariat London, United Kingdom  

    c. 2005 – c. 2009.

    – Represented Nigeria in multilateral engagements with the Commonwealth of Nations, advancing diplomatic, economic, and governance initiatives.  

    – Contributed to high-level policy dialogues and bilateral relations within the 56-member organization.  

    Director (Regions), National Intelligence Agency (NIA) Headquarters, Abuja  

    – Managed regional intelligence coordination and operations across Africa and beyond.  

    Earlier Diplomatic Career  

    – Joined the Nigerian Foreign Service as a career diplomat

    – Served in various diplomatic postings and roles within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, focusing on international relations and consular affairs

    LATEEF KAYODE ARE, AMBASSADOR-DESIGNATE

    Year of Birth: 1955  

    Status: Retired Nigerian Army Colonel & Former Director General, State Security Service  

    Education:  

    – Master’s Degree in International Law and Diplomacy – University of Lagos, Nigeria – 1987  

    – B.Sc. (First Class Honours) Psychology – University of Ibadan, Nigeria – 1980 – (Best graduating student: University Senate Prize, Faculty of Social Sciences Prize, Department of Psychology Prize)  

    – Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), Regular Combatant Course 12 – Commissioned 2nd Lieutenant, Nigerian Army – December 1974 (Among top 10 cadets)  

    Military Career: 

    – Commissioned 2nd Lieutenant, Nigerian Army – 1974  

    – Intelligence Officer, Directorate of Military Intelligence  

    – Promoted to Colonel  

    – Compulsory retirement from Nigerian Army – 1993  

    Senior National Security Appointments:

    Director General, State Security Service (SSS) May 1999 – August 2007  

    (Longest-serving DG SSS in Nigerian history; served under Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Umaru Yar’Adua)  

    Deputy National Security Adviser, Federal Republic of Nigeria  

    April 2010 – c. 2010/2011  

    Acting National Security Adviser  

    18 September 2010 – 4 October 2010  

    (Interim appointment following resignation of Gen. Aliyu Mohammed Gusau)  

    Professional profile summary:   

    Retired intelligence and national security expert with over 33 years of combined military and civilian intelligence service, including eight consecutive years as head of Nigeria’s domestic intelligence agency.

    AMIN MUHAMMAD DALHATU, AMBASSADOR-DESIGNATE

    State of Origin: Jigawa State  

    Status: Career Diplomat & Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Nigeria  

    Professional Summary:   

    Seasoned Nigerian diplomat with extensive experience in international relations and bilateral diplomacy. Served as Ambassador to the Republic of Korea (South Korea), fostering economic, cultural, and political ties between Nigeria and host nations.

    Key appointments  

    Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Republic of Korea (South Korea) Embassy of Nigeria, Seoul  

    c. 2017 – c. 2023  

    – Presented Letters of Credence in September 2017 under President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.  

    – Oversaw diplomatic operations, consular services, and promotion of Nigeria-Korea relations, including trade, investment, and cultural exchanges.  

    Earlier Diplomatic Career  

    – Career diplomat in the Nigerian Foreign Service, with prior postings and roles in international diplomacy 

    – Contributed to Nigeria’s foreign policy implementation across various capacities within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.  

    – Advanced diplomatic training and qualifications through the Nigerian Foreign Service.

  • UPDATED: Tinubu nominates veteran diplomats as non-career ambassadors to US, UK, France

    UPDATED: Tinubu nominates veteran diplomats as non-career ambassadors to US, UK, France

    President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has nominated three seasoned security and diplomatic figures as non-career ambassadors to represent Nigeria in the United States, the United Kingdom, and France, according to a post on Wednesday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.

    The nominations, which are subject to Senate screening and confirmation, include Ambassador Ayodele Oke, retired Colonel Lateef Kayode Are, and Ambassador Amin Mohammed Dalhatu.

    Ambassador Dalhatu, one of the nominees, previously served as Nigeria’s envoy to South Korea during the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.

    First appointed in 2016, he completed a tenure marked by strengthened bilateral cooperation between Abuja and Seoul.

    Ambassador Oke, a graduate of Emory University in Atlanta, is a former Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA).

    He earlier represented Nigeria at the Secretariat of the Commonwealth of Nations in London and is widely regarded for his extensive diplomatic and intelligence background.

    Retired Colonel Are brings decades of national security experience to the diplomatic corps. He served as Director-General of the State Security Service (SSS) from 1999 to 2007, later assumed office as National Security Adviser in 2010, and was an officer in the Directorate of Military Intelligence.

    A distinguished scholar, he graduated with First Class Honours in Psychology from the University of Ibadan in 1980.

    The three nominees are expected to play strategic roles in strengthening Nigeria’s diplomatic presence in key global capitals once their postings are finalised after Senate confirmation.

  • ‘No going back on Oct. 31 exit date for ambassadors’

    ‘No going back on Oct. 31 exit date for ambassadors’

    • Govt embargoes accounts

    There is no three-month tenure extension for the ambassadors recently recalled by the Federal Government, the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs clarified yesterday. 

    Also, the Federal Government has placed embargo on foreign missions’ accounts to check frivolous spending by envoys. 

    The Ministry stated that the envoys’ October 31 exit date remained sacrosanct, adding that Foreign Affairs Minister Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, who issued the notice, acted on the directive of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

    It was learnt that non-career ambassadors had initiated moves to remain on their duty posts till December 31.

    But the Presidency was not convinced on the excuse given to extend their stay, following alleged suspicious actions of some of the envoys to mop up funds.

    The Federal Government has placed embargo on last minutes expenditure by the envoys.

    As part of the recalibration of the nation’s Foreign Policy, President Tinubu had directed non-career envoys to return home.

    Those affected have been lobbying traditional rulers, businessmen and influential politicians to remain in their host countries.

    Tuggar, in a statement by his Special Assistant on Media and Communications Strategy, Alkasim Abdulkadir, said there was no directive to extend the exit date of recalled ambassadors.

    He said the report that recalled envoys have had their diplomatic duties extended by three months is unknown to the minister.

    According to him: “Some of the envoys have either signaled their host governments of leaving or have left and returned to the country already. 

    “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s recall still stands and all envoys are expected to be back in Nigeria by the 31st of October as earlier communicated by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, acting on the directive of the President. 

    Read Also: How college workers, students attacked our operatives, by EFCC

    “This is a routine matter to recalibrate Nigeria’s foreign policy and international relations in line with the 4Ds (Democracy, Development, Demography and Diaspora) foreign policy strategy under the ‘Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr. President.”

    On the embargo on expenditures by the outgoing ambassadors, a source said the Federal Government took the step to curtail alleged moves by some of them to mop up funds in their embassies.

    The source added: “On the issue of the embargo on expenditures, it has been done. Some of the requests are not in line with routine expenditures. They are suspicious and look like last minute mop ups.

    “Some of the envoys have continuously mounted tremendous pressures on the Heads of Chanceries and Accountants to pay them without recourse to due diligence. They have gone a step further to ask that personnel and capital budgets be turned into overhead budgets.”

    According to the source,  payment of exit allowances to the recalled ambassadors has started.

    He said: ”All payments have been completed. The payments, which started on the night of 24th October, 2023 were completed yesterday (25th of October, 2023).

    “However, due to the difference in time zones and banking systems, it may not have reflected in some missions.”

    A non-career ambassadors disclosed that the umbrella association of the group had written to the President to extend the deadline for their recall.

    He said although the ambassadors also appreciated the President’s decision to recall them to “reengineer the foreign policy of his administration,” they asked for a three-month grace on their duty posts.

    The envoy, who spoke in confidence, said: “We drew the attention of Mr. President to the fact that the deadline of October 31brings a major challenge to our children’s education.

    “Most schools resumed some weeks ago, and our children are about half way into the school term. We don’t want any school calendar transition to cause setback for our children who will return to school in Nigeria.

    “We have asked the President to extend the deadline for our return from October 31st to December 31st, 2023.”

  • Be good ambassadors,

    National Association of Abia State Students (NAASS).

    President, Comrade Emmanuel Njoku has urged Abia State students in various higher institutions to be good ambassadors.

    He called on them to shun cultism and other vices, anding that they should focus on their studies.

    Njoku warned students against being used by politicians as thugs in next general election, but rather that they should register and ensure that they vote for their candidates.

    Njoku assured its members of transparency, accountability and people-oriented administration, promising to promote cordiality between the students’ body and the  government.

    Njoku said the association endorsed Governor Okezie Ikpeazu for a second term because of his performance.

    He said a second term would enable Ikpeazu complete the ongoing works across the state.

    Other members of the executive committee of the association are: Comrade Erem Prosper Chidinma (Vice President General Duties), Comrade Cadet ASP Nwaubani (Vice President Special Duties), Ukoha Kalu Chisom (Financial Secretary), Nwadinobi Precious Chidinma (Treasurer), Ndubuisi Raymond (Director of Welfare), Charles Bernard Ibe (P.R.O) and Azu Azubuike Emmanuel (Director of Transport and Sports).

  • UBA grooms 30 campus ambassadors

    Thirty students from 10 universities nationwide left Lagos recently armed with skills to be change-agents on campus courtesy of United Bank for Africa (UBA) Campus Ambassador Programme.

    They emerged from a pool of over 300 applications from students pan-Nigeria.

    They will spend the next six months learning and implementing projects that would showcase their leadership potential.

    At the students’ inaugural training at the UBA Headquarters Marina, Lagos penultimate week, Chuks Nweke, Executive Director, Group Chief Operating Officer, told the students they were selected because they demonstrated the bank’s core values of enterprise, excellence and execution.

    “UBA is pleased to have you all on board as valuable ambassadors who will help us propagate our goodwill messages, ethos, values and what we stand for as a bank, across your institutions,” Nweke.

    According to him, UBA is a bank with strong affiliation to youths, evident in the Bank’s scholarship and grants schemes through the UBA Foundation National Essay Competition amongst other educational initiatives.

    He continued:  “We at UBA take youth development and engagement seriously. We believe they are the future of Nigeria. We think we can collaborate to build their creative and leadership skills.”

    Nweke said the students’ abilities were necessary considering the developmental challenges facing the country and the need for innovative leadership.

    “Life is tough. We need people in this country who can exhibit those qualities, beyond what we’ve done, these are people we have seen leadership traits in. We will work with them to develop their leadership traits, creativity for the good of everyone”.

    Also speaking, Mr. Tomiwa Sotiloye, Group Head, Retail & Consumer Banking, explained that five among the students were retained from the pioneer set of 15 Campus ambassadors who served last year.

    He said that the programme would feature trainings, project implementation/monitoring, and paid internships.

    “Starting from next session, it will be one year because we have now aligned the programme to the academic calendar – not from January- December, which gave us a lot of problems last year.

  • UBA grooms 30 campus ambassadors

    Thirty students from 10 universities nationwide left Lagos Sunday armed with skills to be change agents on campus courtesy of United Bank for Africa (UBA) Campus Ambassador Programme.

    They emerged from a pool of over 300 applications from students pan-Nigeria.

    They will spend the next six months learning and implementing projects that would showcase their leadership potential.

    Welcoming the students for their inaugural training at the UBA Headquarters Marina, Lagos last Friday, Chuks Nweke, Executive Director, Group Chief Operating Officer, told the students they were selected because they demonstrated the bank’s core values of enterprise, excellence and execution.

    “UBA is pleased to have you all on board as valuable ambassadors who will help us propagate our goodwill messages, ethos, values and what we stand for as a bank, across your institutions,” Nweke.

    According to him, UBA is a bank with strong affiliation to youths, evident in the Bank’s scholarship and grants schemes through the UBA Foundation National Essay Competition amongst other educational initiatives.

    He continued:  “We at UBA take youth development and engagement seriously. We believe they are the future of Nigeria. We think we can collaborate to build their creative and leadership skills.”

    Nweke said the students’ abilities were necessary considering the developmental challenges facing the country and the need for innovative leadership.

    “Life is tough. We need people in this country who can exhibit those qualities, beyond what we’ve done, these are people we have seen leadership traits in. We will work with them to develop their leadership traits, creativity for the good of everyone”.

    Also speaking, Mr. Tomiwa Sotiloye, Group Head, Retail & Consumer Banking, explained that five among the students were retained from the pioneer set of 15 Campus ambassadors who served last year.

    He said that the programme would feature trainings, project implementation/monitoring, and paid internships.

    “Starting from next session, it will be one year because we have now aligned the programme to the academic calendar – not from January- December, which gave us a lot of problems last year.

  • Corporation appoints children as ambassadors

    The Lagos Water Corporation (LWC) has appointed children as water ambassadors.

    Its Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Muminu Adekunle Badmus, who spoke at the corporation’s head office in Ijora, Lagos on the occasion of the World Water Day, said: “We have decided to bring in members of the Lagos State Children’s Parliament to act as water ambassadors for the corporation because children all over the world have been affected by water crisis.

    “As an agency of the government, we consider it imperative to ensure they come first in our efforts to solve this water crisis.”

    Represented by the Chief Operating Officer, Deji Johnson, Badmus, said the ambassadors were being groom for leadership positions.

    He said it was expected that they would act as its watchdog and alert it on issues that were water-related, “as this will help us in responding to residents’ complaints.”

    “Our ambassadors will explain to the public the reason we need to conserve water. They will convince people why it is necessary to pay water bills. They will give us feedback from our customers,” he said.

    The managing director hailed the Governor Akinwunmi Ambode for supporting the corporation to provide potable water for residents.