By Sabiu Abdullahi
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the deployment of 65 ambassadors-designate to Nigeria’s diplomatic missions across the world and to the United Nations.
The list includes 31 career diplomats and 34 non-career appointees. The Senate had confirmed the nominees in December last year.
A statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said the postings cover several strategic countries and international organisations.
Among the non-career ambassadors, Senator Grace Bent was posted to Lome in Togo, while former presidential aide Senator Ita Enang will serve in South Africa. Former Abia State governor Victor Ikpeazu was assigned to Spain, and Nkechi Linda Ufochukwu will represent Nigeria in Tel-Aviv, Israel.
Other notable appointments include former INEC Chairman Mahmood Yakubu to Qatar, Reno Omokri to Mexico, and former Minister of Health Professor Isaac Folorunso Adewole to Canada. Former Aviation Minister Femi Fani-Kayode will serve in Germany, while former Chief of Defence Intelligence, Lieutenant General Abdulrahman Bello Dambazau, was posted to China.
Senator Jimoh Ibrahim was named Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations. Lateef Kayode Are was assigned to the United States, while Ambassador Joseph Sola Iji will represent Nigeria in Russia. Aminu Dalhatu was posted to the United Kingdom.
The career ambassadors were also deployed to various countries. Ambassador Nwabiola Ezenwa Chukwumeka will serve in Cote d’Ivoire, while Besto Maimuna Ibrahim was assigned to Niger. Other postings include Mohammed Mahmud Lele to Algeria, Ahmed Mohammed Monguno to Egypt, and Muhammad Saidu Dahiru to India.
Additional assignments include Abdussalam Habu Zayyad to Senegal, Shehu Ilu Barde to Ghana, Aminu Nasir to Ethiopia, Abubakar Musa Musa to Chad, and Ibrahim Danlami to Kenya.
According to the statement, some host countries have already granted diplomatic approval for the appointments.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has already received agrément from the United Kingdom for the High Commissioner-designate, Ambassador Aminu Dalhatu. Similarly, France has sent the agrément for Ambassador Ayo Oke.”
The presidency added that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has forwarded the nominations of the remaining envoys to their respective host countries for the necessary diplomatic clearance.
“The Ministry has also conveyed the nominations of the other 62 designated envoys to all the countries concerned, including a request for their agréments in line with standard diplomatic practice.”
President Tinubu also directed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to begin preparations for the ambassadors before they assume duty.
“President Tinubu has directed that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs should immediately commence the induction programme for the ambassadors-designate and High Commissioners.”
The induction programme is expected to prepare the envoys for their diplomatic responsibilities before their deployment to various missions.
