President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the posting of four ambassador-designates to key diplomatic missions abroad, while several high-profile nominees including Reno Omokri and Femi Fani-Kayode remain unassigned as the posting process continues.
Ambassadorial Postings Approved
In a press release signed by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, the following ambassador-designates were formally assigned:
Ambassador Ayodele Oke — Ambassador-Designate to France.
Colonel (Retd.) Lateef Are — Ambassador-Designate to the United States of America.
Ambassador Amin Dalhatu — High Commissioner-Designate to the United Kingdom.
The Presidency’s memo to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs instructed that the governments of the receiving countries be notified in line with diplomatic protocols.
Turkey Posting Now On Hold
Though early reports indicated that Usman Isa Dakingari Suleiman, former governor of Kebbi State, was named ambassador-designate to Turkey, the most recent official State House release clarifies that only three postings were approved — excluding Turkey at this stage.
This means the Turkey posting is currently on hold or pending further clearance rather than formally approved and notified. Government sources suggest that additional diplomatic clearances including agrément (host-country approval) — and scheduling around Nigeria’s planned state visit may be influencing the delay. (Official diplomatic protocol requires these steps before an ambassador can assume office.
High-Profile Nominees Still Await Posting
Several other ambassadorial nominees who were confirmed by the Senate in December 2025 — including former presidential aide Reno Omokri and ex-Minister Femi Fani-Kayode — have not yet received postings from the presidency.
These confirmed nominees remain in limbo as:
Formal assignment orders are still pending from the presidency.
Security clearance and diplomatic suitability reviews, which is a standard part of the ambassadorial posting process must first be completed before deployment.
Approval by host countries is also required before a designated ambassador can take up a post.
Diplomatic missions have been understaffed since President Tinubu recalled all Nigerian ambassadors in September 2023, leaving many key posts vacant for more than two years.
By staging the ambassadorial postings, the government aims to re-establish Nigeria’s full diplomatic presence in major global capitals but the phased rollout and procedural requirements mean not all nominees will be posted at once.
