President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has officially approved the postings of 65 ambassadors-designate to various global missions and the United Nations, signaling a major repositioning of Nigeria’s foreign policy and international representation.
The list, released on Friday, March 6, 2026, by Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, follows the Senate’s confirmation of the envoys last December. The appointments consist of 31 career diplomats and 34 non-career political appointees, including former governors, senators, and prominent public figures.
High-Profile Non-Career Postings
The non-career list features several heavyweights assigned to strategic global hubs. Notably, Lt. Gen. Abdulrahman Bello Dambazau (Rtd) has been posted to Beijing, China, while Femi Fani-Kayode is headed to Germany. Former Deputy Governor of Lagos, Olufemi Pedro, will represent Nigeria in Australia, and Reno Omokri has been assigned to Mexico City.
Other key political postings include:
- USA: Lateef Kayode Are
- United Kingdom: Aminu Dalhatu (Agrément already received)
- France: Ayodele Oke (Agrément already received)
- Russia: Amb. Joseph Sola Iji
- United Nations (Permanent Representative): Sen. Jimoh Ibrahim
- South Africa: Sen. Ita Enang
- Israel (Tel-Aviv): Nkechi Linda Ufochukwu
- Canada: Prof. Isaak Folorunso Adewole
- Japan: Barr. Olumilua Oluwayimika Ayotunwa
The list also sees Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Lawrence Ugwuanyi (Greece), Senator Grace Bent (Togo), and Fatima Florence Ajimobi (Austria) taking up diplomatic roles.
Career Diplomats Take Charge of Regional Hubs
The President also assigned 34 career ambassadors to critical missions, particularly across Africa and the Middle East, emphasizing professional continuity in regional diplomacy.
Key career postings include:
- India (New Delhi): Amb. Muhammad Saidu Dahiru
- Ghana (Accra): Amb. Shehu Ilu Barde
- Netherlands (The Hague): Amb. Haidara Mohammed Idris
- Iran (Tehran): Salau, Hamza Mohammed
- Italy (Rome): Ruben Abimbola Samuel
- Belgium (Brussels): Amb. Ayeni Adebayo Emmanuel
- Niger (Niamey): Besto Maimuna Ibrahim
Full List of Non-Career Postings
| S/N | Name | Mission |
| 1 | Sen. Grace Bent | Togo |
| 2 | Sen. Ita Enang | South Africa |
| 3 | Ikpeazu Victor | Spain |
| 4 | Nkechi Linda Ufochukwu | Israel |
| 5 | Mahmud Yakubu | Qatar |
| 6 | Paul Oga Adikwu | Vatican City |
| 7 | Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas | Philippines |
| 8 | Reno Omokri | Mexico |
| 9 | Hon. Abasi Braimah | Hungary |
| 10 | Mrs. Erelu Angela Adebayo | Portugal |
| 11 | Barr. Olumilua O. Ayotunwa | Japan |
| 12 | Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi | Greece |
| 13 | Barr. Chioma P. Ohakim | Poland |
| 14 | Aminu Dalhatu | United Kingdom |
| 15 | Lt. Gen. A.B. Dambazau | China |
| 16 | Hon. Tasiu Musa Maigari | Gambia |
| 17 | Olufemi Pedro | Australia |
| 18 | Barr. M. Ubandoma Aliyu | Argentina |
| 19 | Lateef Kayode Are | USA |
| 20 | Amb. Joseph Sola Iji | Russia |
| 21 | Sen. Jimoh Ibrahim | UN (New York) |
| 22 | Femi Fani-Kayode | Germany |
| 23 | Prof. Isaac F. Adewole | Canada |
| 24 | Ajimobi Fatima Florence | Austria |
| 25 | Mrs. Lola Akande | Sweden |
| 26 | Ayodele Oke | France |
| 27 | Yakubu N. Gambo | Saudi Arabia |
| 28 | Sen. Prof. Nora L. Daduut | South Korea |
| 29 | Barr. O.C.J. Okocha SAN | Ireland |
| 30 | Dr. Kulu Haruna Abubakar | Tunisia |
| 31 | Rt. Hon. Jerry S. Manwe | Trinidad & Tobago |
Official Diplomatic Protocol
According to the State House, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has already received the necessary agréments (official acceptance) from the United Kingdom and France for their respective designates. The nominations for the remaining 63 envoys have been conveyed to their host countries for approval.
President Tinubu has directed the Ministry to immediately commence a comprehensive induction programme for all the ambassadors-designate and High Commissioners to prepare them for their new roles in representing Nigeria’s interests abroad.
