President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the nomination of three non-career ambassadors to represent Nigeria in the United States, the United Kingdom and France, according to a statement by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga. The appointments are subject to confirmation by the Senate.
The nominees are Ambassador Ayodele Oke, Retired Colonel Lateef Kayode Are, and Ambassador Amin Mohammed Dalhatu—three seasoned figures with long careers in diplomacy, intelligence and national security.
Amin Mohammed Dalhatu: Former South Korea Envoy Returns to Diplomatic Service
Ambassador Dalhatu is making a return to ambassadorial service, having previously served as Nigeria’s envoy to South Korea under former President Muhammadu Buhari. First appointed in 2016, Dalhatu was credited with strengthening bilateral ties between Abuja and Seoul, particularly in trade and development cooperation. His nomination signals continuity and the retention of experienced diplomatic hands within Nigeria’s foreign relations framework.
Ayodele Oke: Ex-NIA Director General to Represent Nigeria in the UK
Ambassador Ayodele Oke brings decades of intelligence and diplomatic experience. An alumnus of Emory University in Atlanta, Oke once served as Nigeria’s Head of Mission to the Secretariat of the Commonwealth of Nations in London. He later became Director General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), positioning him as a nominee with deep expertise in international affairs and national security. His expected posting underscores the administration’s desire to enhance Nigeria’s strategic engagement with the UK.
Lateef Kayode Are: Veteran Security Chief Nominated for Top Diplomatic Role
Retired Colonel Lateef Kayode Are, a respected figure in Nigeria’s intelligence community, also made the list. Are served as Director General of the State Security Service (SSS) from 1999 to 2007 and briefly held the position of National Security Adviser in 2010. A First Class graduate in Psychology from the University of Ibadan, he previously served in the Directorate of Military Intelligence. His nomination reflects a trend toward leveraging security expertise in Nigeria’s diplomatic missions, particularly in countries with strong defence and security partnerships.
Senate Screening to Follow
With the nominations now transmitted for legislative review, the Senate will begin the screening process before the postings are finalised. If confirmed, the three envoys will assume roles in nations considered among Nigeria’s most strategic global partners.
The appointments mark another step in President Tinubu’s ongoing efforts to restructure Nigeria’s foreign service and strengthen diplomatic engagement with major global powers.
