BY GODWIN OBI
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the posting of four ambassador-designates to France, the United States, the United Kingdom and Turkey, from the list of nominees earlier confirmed by the Senate.
The approval was announced on today in a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga.
According to the statement, the postings involve Ambassador Ayodele Oke, Colonel Lateef Are, Ambassador Aminu Dalhatu and former Kebbi State governor, Usman Isa Dakingari Suleiman.
Onanuga said Ambassador Ayodele Oke has been posted to France, while Colonel Lateef Are will serve as Nigeria’s ambassador-designate to the United States.
He also disclosed that Ambassador Aminu Dalhatu, a former Nigerian envoy to South Korea, has been appointed High Commissioner-designate to the United Kingdom.
In addition, Usman Isa Dakingari Suleiman, former governor of Kebbi State, has been posted as Ambassador-designate to Turkey.
Onanuga noted that the Turkey posting is particularly significant as President Tinubu is scheduled to undertake a state visit to the country next week.
“The posting of Suleiman to Turkey comes as the President is expected to begin a state visit to the country next week,” he said.
The presidential spokesman added that the approvals have been formally communicated to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, with a directive to notify the governments of the affected countries in line with established diplomatic procedures.
“These postings were drawn from the list of ambassadorial nominees earlier screened and confirmed by the National Assembly,” Onanuga stated.
It will be recalled that the Senate confirmed ambassadorial nominees forwarded by President Tinubu in December 2025, following the adoption of a report by the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs.
The committee had said all the nominees were screened and found suitable for appointment.
The Senate had earlier confirmed both career and non-career ambassadors and high commissioners, including former Minister of Interior Abdulrahman Dambazau, former presidential aide Ita Enang, former INEC Chairman Mahmood Yakubu, former Enugu State governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, and former Abia State governor Okezie Ikpeazu, among others.
In all, the Senate confirmed 34 career ambassadors and high commissioners and 30 non-career ambassadors and high commissioners.
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2026-01-22