BeadySword Blog has uncovered details about the Nigerian president’s recent ambassador nominations for non-career diplomats to the United States, the United Kingdom, and France. The postings are expected to be finalised after Senate screening, with three nominees highlighted for their backgrounds in diplomacy and national security.

The Nominees at a Glance

1. Lateef Kayode Are — Ambassador-Designate

• Year of Birth: 1955
• Status: Retired Nigerian Army Colonel & Former Director General, State Security Service (SSS)
• Education:
  • Master’s Degree in International Law and Diplomacy, University of Lagos (1987)
  • B.Sc. in Psychology, University of Ibadan (1980; First Class Honours; multiple prizes)
  • Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), Regular Combatant Course 12; commissioned 2nd Lieutenant (1974)
• Military Career:
  • Served as an Intelligence Officer in the Directorate of Military Intelligence, rose to Colonel
  • Retired from the Nigerian Army in 1993
• Senior National Security Appointments:
  • Director General, SSS (May 1999 – August 2007) — the longest-serving DG in Nigerian history
  • Deputy National Security Adviser (April 2010 – around 2010/2011)
  • Acting National Security Adviser (Sept 18, 2010 – Oct 4, 2010)
• Professional Profile:
  • More than three decades in military and civilian intelligence, with leadership of Nigeria’s domestic intelligence agency for eight years

2. Amin Muhammad Dalhatu — Ambassador-Designate

• State of Origin: Jigawa State
• Status: Career Diplomat & Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Nigeria
• Professional Summary:
  • Seasoned diplomat with extensive experience in international relations and bilateral diplomacy
  • Former Ambassador to the Republic of Korea (South Korea)
• Key Appointments:
  • Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to South Korea (Seoul) — roughly 2017 to 2023
  • Presented Letters of Credence in September 2017 under President Buhari
  • Managed diplomatic operations, consular services, and Nigeria-Korea relations
  • Hosted high-profile dignitaries, including notable visits in 2019
• Earlier Diplomatic Career:
  • Career diplomat with postings and roles in international diplomacy within the Nigerian Foreign Service
  • Contributions to Nigeria’s foreign policy and bilateral initiatives
  • Continued diplomatic training through the Nigerian Foreign Service

3. Ayodele Oke — Ambassador-Designate

• State of Origin: Oyo State
• Status: Retired Career Diplomat & Former Director General, National Intelligence Agency (NIA)
• Professional Summary:
  • Distinguished career diplomat with three+ decades in international relations, diplomacy, and national security
  • Nigerian top intelligence chief (Director General of NIA) from 2013 to 2017
  • Cleared of all allegations in 2023 following a legal process
• Key Appointments:
  • Director General, National Intelligence Agency (NIA) — 2013 to 2017
  • Ambassadorship to the Commonwealth Secretariat, London — roughly 2005 to 2009
  • Held various roles within the National Intelligence Agency and the Nigerian Foreign Service
• Earlier Diplomatic Career:
  • Career diplomat with postings in international diplomacy and foreign affairs
  • Involvement in multilateral diplomacy and national security coordination

• The BeadySword Blog notes that these ambassador postings are non-career appointments. The finalisation of postings will depend on the forthcoming Senate screening.
• The profiles emphasise a blend of high-level intelligence leadership and seasoned diplomacy, indicating Nigeria’s emphasis on experienced figures for key international roles.