President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the posting of four ambassador designates, marking the first batch of foreign postings from the 68 nominees earlier confirmed by the Senate in December 2025. The development signals a renewed push by the administration to strengthen Nigeria’s diplomatic presence and strategic engagements across key global capitals.
The approval was contained in a State House press release issued on Wednesday and signed by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga. According to the statement, the postings are part of ongoing efforts to reposition Nigeria’s foreign policy architecture and ensure effective representation of the country’s interests abroad.
Those approved for deployment include Ambassador Ayodele Oke, who has been designated as Nigeria’s Ambassador to the French Republic, and Colonel Lateef Are (rtd), who has been confirmed as the Ambassador designate to the United States of America. Both countries are regarded as critical partners to Nigeria in areas ranging from trade and investment to security cooperation and global diplomacy.
Also approved is Ambassador Aminu Dalhatu, a seasoned diplomat and former Nigerian Ambassador to the Republic of Korea, who has now been appointed as the High Commissioner designate to the United Kingdom. The UK remains one of Nigeria’s most significant bilateral partners, with strong historical, economic, educational, and diaspora ties.
In addition, President Tinubu confirmed the posting of Usman Isa Dakingari Suleiman, a former Governor of Kebbi State, as Nigeria’s Ambassador designate to the Republic of Turkey. His appointment comes ahead of President Tinubu’s scheduled state visit to Turkey next week, underscoring the strategic importance of the bilateral relationship between both countries.
According to the Presidency, the four postings are drawn from the larger pool of ambassadorial nominees who were screened and confirmed by the Senate late last year. The staggered deployment, it was explained, is intended to ensure proper coordination, procedural compliance, and readiness on the part of both the nominees and host countries.
In a formal memo addressed to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, President Tinubu directed the ministry to immediately notify the governments of France, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Turkey of the approved ambassadorial postings. The notification is to be done in line with established diplomatic protocols, including the request for agrément from the host countries.
“The President has urged the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to promptly convey the appointments to the governments of the four countries, in accordance with diplomatic procedures,” the statement said.
Diplomatic analysts note that the selection of the four countries reflects Nigeria’s strategic foreign policy priorities under the Tinubu administration. France remains a key partner in security cooperation in West Africa, particularly in counterterrorism efforts in the Sahel region. The United States is Nigeria’s largest trading partner and a major ally in security, energy, and democratic governance. The United Kingdom continues to play a central role in Nigeria’s economic, educational, and cultural engagements, while Turkey has emerged as an increasingly important partner in trade, defence cooperation, infrastructure development, and humanitarian support.
Observers also point out that the appointment of experienced diplomats and public office holders suggests an effort to balance professional diplomatic expertise with political and administrative experience. Ambassador Oke and Ambassador Dalhatu are career diplomats with extensive foreign service backgrounds, while Colonel Lateef Are brings a security and defence perspective to the Washington mission. Usman Isa Dakingari Suleiman’s appointment is expected to leverage his executive experience and political networks to deepen Nigeria–Turkey relations.
President Tinubu’s administration has repeatedly emphasised the role of economic diplomacy in driving national development. Since assuming office, the President has called on Nigeria’s foreign missions to focus on attracting foreign direct investment, expanding trade opportunities, protecting the interests of Nigerians abroad, and projecting a positive image of the country on the global stage.
The approval of the ambassadorial postings comes at a time when Nigeria is seeking to consolidate its leadership role in Africa, rebuild investor confidence, and strengthen partnerships with key global actors. The administration has also prioritised the revitalisation of Nigeria’s diplomatic missions, many of which have faced operational challenges in recent years.
Although only four postings have been announced so far, the Presidency indicated that additional ambassadorial deployments would follow in due course. The remaining nominees confirmed by the Senate are expected to be assigned to various diplomatic missions across Africa, Europe, Asia, the Americas, and multilateral organisations.
Political stakeholders and foreign policy experts have welcomed the development, describing it as a necessary step toward restoring full diplomatic representation after months of vacancies in several Nigerian missions abroad. They argue that the absence of substantive ambassadors in strategic countries had limited Nigeria’s ability to engage effectively on bilateral and multilateral issues.
The Tinubu administration has also assured Nigerians that ambassadorial appointees will be held to high standards of performance and accountability. According to officials, the new envoys will be expected to align with the administration’s foreign policy objectives, promote Nigeria’s economic interests, and uphold professionalism in the conduct of diplomatic relations.
As preparations continue for President Tinubu’s state visit to Turkey, attention is expected to focus on the role of the new ambassador designate in facilitating high-level engagements and follow-up agreements. The visit is anticipated to further strengthen cooperation between Nigeria and Turkey in areas such as defence manufacturing, construction, trade, and education.
The State House press release concluded by reaffirming the President’s commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s foreign service and ensuring that the country’s voice is effectively represented on the global stage.
The statement was dated January 22, 2026, and signed by Mr. Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy.
