President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has forwarded the names of three non-career diplomats to represent Nigeria in the United States, the United Kingdom, and France a move signaling a renewed diplomatic push as the country strengthens ties with major global powers. The nominations, now awaiting Senate confirmation, include seasoned intelligence experts and accomplished diplomats known for their extensive national service.
The nominees are Ambassador Ayodele Oke, Retired Colonel Lateef Kayode Are, and Ambassador Amin Mohammed Dalhatu each bringing decades of security, intelligence, and foreign policy experience to the table.
Ambassador Amin Mohammed Dalhatu, who has been selected for another high-profile posting, previously served as Nigeria’s ambassador to South Korea under former President Muhammadu Buhari. Dalhatu was first appointed in 2016 and is credited with deepening Nigeria–South Korea diplomatic and economic cooperation.
Ambassador Ayodele Oke, a graduate of Emory University in Atlanta, is widely recognized for his expertise in intelligence operations. A former Director General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Oke also represented Nigeria at the Secretariat of the Commonwealth of Nations in London, further solidifying his experience in multilateral diplomacy.
ALSO READ: CDCFIB Releases 2025 Recruitment Overview as Over 1.8 Million Applications Flood Portal
Retired Colonel Lateef Kayode Are, another heavyweight nominee, boasts a distinguished record in national security. He led the State Security Service (SSS) from 1999 to 2007, later served as National Security Adviser in 2010, and previously worked with the Directorate of Military Intelligence. Are holds a First-Class degree in Psychology from the University of Ibadan, obtained in 1980 a reflection of his academic depth and professional rigor.
Once screened and approved by the Senate, the appointments are expected to strengthen Nigeria’s diplomatic footprint in three of the world’s most influential capitals.