President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the posting of four ambassador-designates to key foreign missions, selecting them from the 68 nominees earlier confirmed by the Nigerian Senate. The approval marks the first batch of postings following the screening exercise concluded in December last year.

According to a statement released by the President’s spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, Ambassador Ayodele Oke has been posted as Nigeria’s ambassador-designate to France, while Colonel Lateef Are will serve as ambassador-designate to the United States of America. The appointments place experienced diplomats and officials in two of Nigeria’s most strategic international partnerships.

The President also approved the posting of Ambassador Amin Dalhatu, a former envoy to South Korea, as the high commissioner-designate to the United Kingdom. In addition, Usman Isa Dakingari Suleiman, a former governor of Kebbi State, has been named ambassador-designate to Turkey, a country President Tinubu is expected to visit on a state visit next week.

President Tinubu has directed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to formally notify the governments of France, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Turkey of the appointments, in line with standard diplomatic procedures. The development signals the gradual deployment of Nigeria’s new diplomatic team to strengthen bilateral relations and advance the country’s foreign policy goals.