President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of four ambassadors-designate to France, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Turkey.
Bayo Onanuga, the president’s special adviser on information and strategy, confirmed the clearance in a statement on Thursday.
“The President has approved the posting of four ambassador-designates out of the 68 confirmed by the Senate last December,” Onanuga said.
Ambassador Ayodele Oke, Colonel Lateef Are, Ambassador Amin Dalhatu, and former Kebbi State Governor Usman Isa Dakingari Suleiman will discuss France, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Turkey.
He stated that Ambassador Oke has been appointed to France, and Colonel Are will serve in the United States.
“The posting of Ambassador Ayodele Oke to France and Colonel Lateef Are to the United States has been confirmed by the President.”
He also stated that Tinubu also approved the posting of Ambassador Amin Dalhatu as high commissioner-designate to the United Kingdom.
“Ambassador Amin Dalhatu, former Nigerian ambassador to South Korea, has been posted as the high commissioner-designate to the United Kingdom.”
Onanuga also revealed that Usman Isa Dakingari Suleiman, a former governor of Kebbi State, has been appointed ambassador-designate to Turkey.
“Usman Isa Dakingari Suleiman, former governor of Kebbi State, is the ambassador-designate to Turkey.”
He mentioned that the posting to Turkey is significant, as the president is expected to visit the country soon.
“The posting of Suleiman to Turkey comes as the president is scheduled to begin a state visit to the country next week,” Onanuga added.
The presidential aide said the approvals were formally communicated to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
“In a memo to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the President urged the ministry to notify the governments of the four countries about the ambassador-designates, in line with established diplomatic procedures.”
He explained that the appointments were made from a list of ambassadorial nominees previously screened by the National Assembly.
“These postings are part of the ambassadorial nominees confirmed by the Senate in December,” Onanuga stated.
Chronicle NG reported in December 2025 that the Senate confirmed 64 ambassadorial nominees forwarded by Tinubu.
According to the report, the confirmation came after the Senate Foreign Affairs Committee adopted a report.
The committee stated, “All nominees were screened and found suitable for appointment.”
The Senate previously confirmed three non-career nominations, Lateef Kayode Are, Aminu Dalhatu, and Emmanuel Ayodele Oke, bringing the total number of confirmed ambassadors to 67.
Among those cleared were former Interior Minister Abdulrahman Dambazau, former presidential adviser Ita Enang, and Reno Omokri, former Special Adviser on New Media to former President Goodluck Jonathan.
Others include former INEC Chairman Mahmood Yakubu, former Governor of Enugu State Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, and former Governor of Abia State Okezie Ikpeazu.
In total, the Senate confirmed 34 career ambassadors and high commissioners and 30 non-career ambassadors and high commissioners.
