President Bola Tinubu has forwarded the names of three nominees for appointment as non-career ambassadors to the Senate, marking another significant step in his ongoing reorganisation of Nigeria’s diplomatic and security architecture. The request, submitted in line with Section 171 of the 1999 Constitution, was read on the floor of the Senate on Wednesday by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
The nominees — Kayode Are (Ogun State), Aminu Dalhatu (Jigawa State), and Ayodele Oke (Oyo State) — represent some of the most experienced hands in Nigeria’s intelligence and diplomatic community. Their selection signals the administration’s continued reliance on seasoned figures to help reposition the country’s foreign policy direction and strengthen global partnerships.
In the letter accompanying the list, Tinubu asked the Senate to confirm the three men as non-career ambassadors, noting that their backgrounds and experience would be useful to Nigeria’s foreign missions at a time when the country is seeking stronger international engagement, expanded economic cooperation, and improved representation abroad.
Profiles of the Nominees
Aminu Dalhatu, a career diplomat, is the most recent ambassador among the nominees. He previously served as Nigeria’s Ambassador to South Korea from 2017 to 2023 under former President Muhammadu Buhari. During his posting, Dalhatu worked to deepen Nigeria–Korea relations in areas such as technology, investment, cultural exchange, and political cooperation. He also oversaw consular services and coordinated several high-level diplomatic visits involving Nigerian and Korean officials.
Dalhatu joined the Foreign Service decades ago and has served in several diplomatic roles both at home and abroad. Much of his work within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has not been widely publicised due to the nature of diplomatic assignments, but he is known among foreign service circles as a calm but effective administrator with a wide grasp of international affairs.
Kayode Are, the second nominee, is a retired Nigerian Army colonel and one of the longest-serving heads of the State Security Service (SSS). He led the agency from 1999 to 2007, giving him an eight-year tenure that remains the longest in the organisation’s history. His period in charge covered Nigeria’s transition from military rule to democratic governance, a time that required delicate balancing of national security concerns and civil liberties.
After leaving the SSS, Are held several top security advisory positions. He served as Deputy National Security Adviser and briefly as Acting National Security Adviser in 2010. Born in 1955, Are was trained at the Nigerian Defence Academy and rose through the ranks before his compulsory retirement in 1993. He holds a First-Class degree in Psychology from the University of Ibadan and a Master’s degree in International Law and Diplomacy from the University of Lagos.
With more than 30 years of experience in intelligence and military operations, Are is regarded as one of Nigeria’s most experienced security strategists. His nomination signals an intention by the Tinubu administration to deploy seasoned hands to foreign missions where intelligence coordination and strategic diplomacy may be required.
Ayodele Oke, the third nominee, is also a former intelligence chief. He headed the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) between 2013 and 2017, having been appointed by former President Goodluck Jonathan. As Director-General of the NIA, he oversaw Nigeria’s foreign intelligence gathering operations and worked on counter-terrorism coordination during a period when the Boko Haram insurgency was at its peak.
Before becoming NIA director-general, Oke served as Ambassador to the Commonwealth Secretariat in London from 2005 to 2009. In that role, he represented Nigeria in various multilateral engagements and worked with other Commonwealth nations on development, governance, and diplomatic cooperation. His career in the Foreign Service and intelligence circles spans several decades.
Oke’s time at the NIA was overshadowed by a major controversy in 2017, when large sums of money were found in a Lagos apartment allegedly linked to the agency. The matter led to his suspension by then Acting President Yemi Osinbajo. After years of investigation, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) formally closed the case in June 2023, clearing him of wrongdoing.
The appointment of ambassadors is one of the key constitutional responsibilities of the President. Non-career ambassadors — unlike career diplomats — are usually appointed based on professional experience, political considerations, or special expertise that can advance Nigeria’s interests abroad. All nominees must, however, be screened and confirmed by the Senate before their postings are finalised.
Tinubu’s latest list stands out because it includes two former intelligence chiefs and a former ambassador. This suggests that the administration may be focusing on strengthening Nigeria’s security cooperation with other countries, expanding intelligence-sharing networks, and boosting Nigeria’s profile in regions where the country seeks stronger ties.
Nigeria’s foreign missions play a crucial role in promoting investment, protecting citizens abroad, and lobbying for the country’s interests in global forums. In recent years, many missions have struggled with limited funding, staffing gaps, and declining diplomatic influence. Observers believe that bringing in experienced figures could help revive the performance of these embassies, especially in countries where Nigeria needs stronger economic and security partnerships.
Following the Senate President’s announcement, the nominees will now be invited to appear before the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs for screening. During the exercise, lawmakers are expected to question them on their experience, suitability for their prospective roles, and their plans for strengthening Nigeria’s diplomatic engagements.
Once the committee completes its work, it will present a report to the full Senate for adoption. If the nominees are confirmed, the presidency will then allocate them to specific countries or international organisations. Their postings will take effect once they receive official instruments of appointment and present their Letters of Credence to the governments of their host nations.
The submission of ambassadorial nominees comes as the Tinubu administration continues to make adjustments to Nigeria’s diplomatic corps. Several ambassadors appointed by the previous administration were recalled earlier this year, creating vacancies in key foreign missions. The government has said it aims to reposition Nigeria’s foreign policy to attract investment, support Nigerian citizens abroad, and project a more stable image of the country.
The new nominees, with their combined experience in security, diplomacy, and intelligence, appear to fit into that plan. Their eventual deployment is expected to shape how Nigeria engages with its international partners in the months and years ahead.
