Tinubu Approves 65 New Ambassadors, Sends Omokri & Fani-Kayode Abroad

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the postings of 65 Nigerian ambassadors and high commissioners to various countries and international organisations, according to a statement from the State House.

The appointments include 31 career diplomats and 34 non-career ambassadors, whose nominations were earlier confirmed by the Senate of Nigeria in December.

The announcement was contained in a press release issued on Friday by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.

Among the prominent non-career envoys, former presidential aide Reno Omokri was posted to Mexico, while former aviation minister Femi Fani-Kayode will serve as ambassador to Germany.

Former Minister of Health Isaac Folorunso Adewole was assigned to Canada, and former Chief of Army Staff Abdulrahman Bello Dambazau will represent Nigeria in China.

Other notable postings include former Lagos deputy governor Olufemi Pedro to Australia, former intelligence chief Ayodele Oke to France, and businessman and politician Jimoh Ibrahim as Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations.

In the list, Lateef Kayode Are was appointed ambassador to the United States, while Ita Enang will serve as envoy to South Africa. Former Abia State governor Okezie Ikpeazu was posted to Spain.

The President also approved postings for career diplomats across several missions worldwide, including Ghana, Egypt, India, Belgium, Switzerland, Morocco, Senegal, Iran, and Thailand, among others.

According to the statement, the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs has already received agrément formal diplomatic approval from the United Kingdom for High Commissioner-designate Aminu Dalhatu. Similarly, France has approved the appointment of Ambassador Ayo Oke.

The ministry said it has forwarded the nominations of the remaining envoys to their respective host countries while awaiting the necessary diplomatic approvals in line with international protocol.

President Tinubu also directed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to immediately commence an induction programme for the ambassadors-designate and high commissioners ahead of their deployment.

The new postings are expected to strengthen Nigeria’s diplomatic presence abroad and deepen bilateral relations with partner countries across Africa, Europe, Asia, and the Americas.