ABUJA, Nigeria — July 7, 2026 — The Federal Government has formally deployed a new set of ambassadors and high commissioners-designate, charging them to attract foreign direct investment, expand trade opportunities and advance Nigeria’s economic diplomacy.
The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, presented Letters of Credence to the envoys on Monday in Abuja ahead of their postings to key diplomatic missions across the world. The development was contained in a statement issued by Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Enikanolaiye said the appointments are in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which positions foreign policy as an instrument for national development and citizen-focused outcomes.
“Our missions abroad must deliver measurable results by attracting investment, strengthening trade relations, promoting national security and protecting the welfare of Nigerians overseas,” he said.
The minister said each Head of Mission would operate under a customised Station Charter setting out clear objectives, with annual performance evaluations to assess progress through policy outputs, reporting and tangible results.
He also highlighted ongoing reforms within the ministry, anchored on the “4-Ds” framework — Demography, Development, Democracy and the Diaspora — stressing that Nigeria’s diplomacy must remain accountable, responsive and aligned with the interests of citizens.
Those presented with Letters of Credence include Femi Fani-Kayode (South Africa), Jane Adams Bassey (Jamaica, with concurrent accreditation to the Dominican Republic, Haiti and Belize), Samuel Rueben Abimbola Tolulope (Italy and Albania), Joseph John Galgadi (Gabon), Danladi Nyaku (Sudan and Eritrea), Ahmed Olatunji Sulu-Gambari (Malaysia), Geoffrey Ijeoma David Chima (Mali), Philip Ikurusi (Zimbabwe), Raymond Abassi (Hungary, with concurrent accreditation to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Slovenia and Serbia), Saidu Dahiru Mohamed (India, with concurrent accreditation to Sri Lanka, Nepal and Bangladesh), and Vice Admiral Ibas Ibok-Ete Ekwe (Rtd), High Commissioner-designate to the Philippines, with concurrent accreditation to Cambodia.
Responding on behalf of the envoys, Ibas Ibok-Ete Ekwe expressed appreciation for the ministry’s preparatory process and pledged the envoys’ commitment to implementing Nigeria’s foreign policy priorities with professionalism and integrity.
He assured that the envoys would work collectively to advance national interests, strengthen Nigeria’s global image and maintain close coordination with the ministry throughout their assignments.
