President Bola Tinubu has finalised the deployment of three high-ranking ambassadors-designate to the United States, the United Kingdom, and France, while abruptly withdrawing the announced posting for the mission in Turkey.
The adjustment, confirmed by presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga on Friday, January 23, 2026, narrows the initial list of four envoys down to three. The Presidency characterised the earlier inclusion of a Turkish envoy as a "mix-up," clarifying that the assignment for that specific mission remains under review. This correction comes just hours after the initial announcement had named former Kebbi State Governor Usman Isa Dakingari Suleiman for the Ankara post.
Despite the reversal on the Turkey appointment, the postings to Nigeria’s most influential Western allies remain unchanged. Retired Colonel Lateef Are has been officially designated for the United States. Ambassador Ayodele Oke will lead the Nigerian mission in France. Meanwhile, the United Kingdom will receive Ambassador Amin Dalhatu as High Commissioner.
"The President has approved the posting of three ambassadors-designate out of the 68 confirmed by the Senate last December," Onanuga stated in the corrected release. "In a revised memo to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the President urged the ministry to notify the governments of the three countries about the ambassadors-designate, in accordance with diplomatic procedures."
