Tinubu Assigns 65 Envoys to Foreign Missions and the United Nations

Nigeria Expands Diplomatic Representation With 65 Envoy Postings

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the deployment of 65 ambassadors-designate to Nigeria’s foreign missions and the United Nations, marking a major step in strengthening the country’s diplomatic representation abroad. The envoys include 34 non-career ambassadors and 31 career diplomats whose nominations were confirmed by the Nigerian Senate in December 2025.

The announcement was made in Abuja by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, who said the appointments are part of efforts to deepen Nigeria’s engagement with key global partners and multilateral institutions.

Mix of Career and Political Appointments

The postings combine professional diplomats with political appointees drawn from various sectors of public service and governance.

Among the notable non-career envoys, former Minister of Aviation Femi Fani-Kayode has been assigned to Germany, while businessman and senator Jimoh Ibrahim will serve as Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations.

Other prominent appointments include Reno Omokri as ambassador to Mexico, Lateef Kayode Are to the United States, Isaac Adewole, former Minister of Health, to Canada, and Aminu Dalhatu as High Commissioner to the United Kingdom.

Additional postings include Ita Enang to South Africa and Mahmood Yakubu, former chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, to Qatar.

Career Diplomats Assigned to Strategic Missions

Career diplomats also received postings to key diplomatic missions across Africa and other regions.

Assignments include Mohammed Mahmud Lele to Algeria, Shehu Barde to Ghana, and Abdussalam Zayyad to Senegal. Other diplomats have been posted to countries such as Ethiopia, Morocco, Kenya and India, reflecting Nigeria’s broad diplomatic footprint.

Analysts note that the inclusion of experienced career diplomats is essential for maintaining continuity and expertise within Nigeria’s foreign service.

Diplomatic Clearance and Induction Process

According to the Presidency, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has already received diplomatic clearance known as agrément from the United Kingdom for Ambassador Aminu Dalhatu and from France for Ambassador Ayodele Oke. The remaining nominations have been forwarded to host countries for approval in accordance with international diplomatic procedures.

President Tinubu also directed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to commence induction and orientation programmes for the ambassadors-designate to prepare them for their assignments.

Strengthening Nigeria’s Global Engagement

The deployment of the 65 envoys reflects Nigeria’s effort to revitalise its diplomatic presence across strategic global capitals and multilateral institutions.

Diplomatic missions play a critical role in advancing Nigeria’s foreign policy objectives, including economic diplomacy, trade promotion, investment attraction, and international cooperation.

With the new ambassadorial postings, the government aims to reinforce Nigeria’s engagement with international partners while positioning the country to leverage diplomatic channels for economic development and global influence.