President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR has approved the posting of 65 ambassadors and high commissioners whose nominations were confirmed by the Senate in December, assigning them to Nigeria’s diplomatic missions across the world.
Among the notable political appointees are former presidential spokesperson, Reno Omokri who has been posted to Mexico, while former Minister of Aviation Femi Fani-Kayode will serve as Nigeria’s ambassador to Germany.
Also on the list is former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC, Mahmood Yakubu, who has been posted to Qatar, while Ondo South senator Jimoh Ibrahim will serve as Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations.
The announcement was contained in a statement issued Friday by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy.
According to him, President Tinubu has directed the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Nigeria) to immediately begin the induction programme for the ambassadors-designate and high commissioners ahead of their deployment to their respective host countries.
Key Non-Career Ambassadorial Postings
Several political appointees were assigned to major diplomatic missions, including:Grace Bent – Togo, Ita Enang – South Africa, Victor Ikpeazu – Spain, Nkechi Linda Ufochukwu – Israel, Mahmood Yakubu – Qatar, Paul Oga Adikwu – Vatican City, Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas – Philippines, Reno Omokri – Mexico, Olumilua Oluwayimika Ayotunwa – Japan, Aminu Dalhatu – United Kingdom, Abdulrahman Bello Dambazau – China, Olufemi Pedro – Australia, Lateef Kayode Are – United States, Joseph Sola Iji – Russia, Femi Fani-Kayode – Germany, Folorunso Adewole – Canada, Lola Akande – Sweden, Ayodele Oke – France, Yakubu N. Gambo – Saudi Arabia, Nora Ladi Daduut – South Korea
Career Ambassadors Also Deployed
Career diplomats were also assigned to key missions in Africa, Europe, Asia and the Middle East.
Among them are Ahmed Mohammed Monguno to Egypt, Muhammad Saidu Dahiru to India,Ayeni Adebayo Emmanuel to Belgium, Akande Wahab Adekola to Switzerland, Sulu Gambari Olatunji Ahmed to Malaysia, and Bello Dogon-Daji Haliru to Thailand.
Others were posted to missions in Ghana, Morocco, Kenya, Iran, Senegal, Namibia, and Sudan.
The latest approvals build on earlier diplomatic deployments made in January when former Department of State Services director-general Lateef Kayode Are was designated Nigeria’s ambassador to the United States, while former National Intelligence Agency chief Ayodele Oke was posted to France.
The presidency said the ambassadors will undergo mandatory induction and orientation before departing for their diplomatic assignments.