Tinubu Unveils Powerful Diplomatic Trio: Meet The New Envoys To The US, UK And France Full Details

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has nominated three non-career ambassadors to represent Nigeria in the United States, the United Kingdom, and France.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The President has forwarded their names to the Senate for screening and confirmation. The nominees are Ambassador Ayodele Oke, Retired Colonel Lateef Kayode Are, and Ambassador Amin Mohammed Dalhatu.

Ambassador Amin Mohammed Dalhatu previously served as Nigeria’s envoy to South Korea under former President Muhammadu Buhari, following his appointment in 2016.

Ambassador Ayodele Oke, a graduate of Emory University in Atlanta, is a former Director General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA). He also served as Nigeria’s Ambassador to the Commonwealth Secretariat in London.

Retired Colonel Lateef Kayode Are, who headed the State Security Service (SSS) from 1999 to 2007, also served briefly as National Security Adviser in 2010. A first-class graduate of Psychology from the University of Ibadan, he was an officer of the Directorate of Military Intelligence before his compulsory retirement in 1993.

Below are the profiles of the ambassadorial nominees:

Lateef Kayode Are – Ambassador-Designate

Year of Birth: 1955
Status: Retired Nigerian Army Colonel & Former Director General, SSS

Education:
– M.A. International Law and Diplomacy, University of Lagos (1987)
– B.Sc. Psychology (First Class Honours), University of Ibadan (1980)
– Best Graduating Student: University Senate Prize, Faculty Prize, Departmental Prize
– Nigerian Defence Academy, Regular Combatant Course 12 (Commissioned 2nd Lieutenant, 1974)

Military and Security Career:
– Commissioned into the Nigerian Army (1974)
– Intelligence Officer, Directorate of Military Intelligence
– Rose to the rank of Colonel
– Retired in 1993

Key National Security Appointments:
– Director General, State Security Service (SSS), 1999–2007
– Longest-serving DG in Nigeria’s history; served under Presidents Obasanjo and Yar’Adua
– Deputy National Security Adviser, 2010
– Acting National Security Adviser, Sept–Oct 2010

Summary:
A veteran intelligence operative with over 33 years’ experience across military and civilian intelligence structures.

Amin Mohammed Dalhatu – Ambassador-Designate

State of Origin: Jigawa State
Status: Career Diplomat & Former Ambassador to South Korea

Professional Summary:
An experienced diplomat with extensive service in bilateral and multilateral engagements, including strengthening Nigeria–Korea diplomatic, economic, and cultural relations.

Key Appointments:
– Ambassador to South Korea, 2017–2023
– Presented Letters of Credence in September 2017
– Oversaw consular services, trade promotion, and diplomatic cooperation

Earlier Career:
– Served in various capacities within the Nigerian Foreign Service
– Contributed to the implementation of Nigeria’s foreign policy goals
– Undertook advanced diplomatic training (details not publicly disclosed)

Ayodele Oke – Ambassador-Designate

State of Origin: Oyo State
Status: Retired Career Diplomat & Former DG, NIA

Professional Summary:
A veteran diplomat with more than three decades of experience in foreign affairs and intelligence. He led the National Intelligence Agency from 2013 to 2017 and was cleared of all allegations in 2023 after a six-year legal process.

Key Appointments:
– Director General, NIA, 2013–2017
– Oversaw foreign intelligence operations and counter-terrorism initiatives
– Suspended in 2017 pending investigations; cleared of wrongdoing by June 2023

– Ambassador to the Commonwealth Secretariat, London
– Represented Nigeria in multilateral engagements within the Commonwealth

– Director (Regions), NIA Headquarters, Abuja
– Coordinated regional intelligence operations

Earlier Diplomatic Career:
– Joined the Nigerian Foreign Service as a career diplomat
– Served in multiple international and administrative roles within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs