President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the posting of 65 ambassadors to various countries and international missions, according to a statement issued on Friday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
The list includes 31 career diplomats and 34 non-career ambassadors whose nominations were earlier confirmed by the Nigerian Senate in December.
Among the prominent appointments, former senator Ita Enang was posted to South Africa, while ex-governor Okezie Ikpeazu will serve in Spain. Former presidential aide Reno Omokri has been assigned to Mexico, while ex-Chief of Defence Intelligence Lateef Kayode Are will head Nigeria’s mission to the United States.
Former Minister of Health, Isaac Folorunso Adewole, has been posted to Canada, while former Minister of Interior Abdulrahman Bello Dambazau will represent Nigeria in China.
The President also appointed businessman and politician Jimoh Ibrahim as Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations.
According to the statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has already secured agrément from the United Kingdom for the High Commissioner-designate, Ambassador Aminu Dalhatu, while France has also granted approval for Ambassador Ayo Oke.
The ministry has also forwarded the nominations of the remaining envoys to their respective host countries, requesting diplomatic consent in line with international practice.
President Tinubu further directed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to immediately begin the induction programme for the ambassadors-designate and high commissioners.