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Profile Of Ambassadors Nominated For US, UK, France By President Tinubu

Published

3 months ago

November 27, 2025

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has nominated non-career ambassadors for three countries: the United States, the United Kingdom, and France.

It was reports that the postings will be finalised following Senate screening. The three nominees are Ambassador Ayodele Oke, Retired Colonel Lateef Kayode Are, and Ambassador Amin Mohammed Dalhatu.

Ambassador Amin Mohammed Dalhatu previously served as Nigeria’s ambassador to South Korea during President Buhari’s administration, having been first appointed in 2016.

Ambassador Ayodele Oke, an alumnus of Emory University in Atlanta, is a former Director General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) and previously served as Nigeria’s ambassador to the Secretariat of the Commonwealth of Nations in London.

Retired Colonel Lateef Kayode Are was Director General of the State Security Service (SSS) from 1999 to 2007, served as National Security Adviser in 2010, and was an officer in the Directorate of Military Intelligence. He graduated with First Class Honours in Psychology from the University of Ibadan in 1980.

See profiles of the nominees below:

Lateef Kayode Are, Ambassador-designate.

Year of Birth: 1955
Status: Retired Nigerian Army Colonel & Former Director General, State Security Service

Education:
– Master’s Degree in International Law and Diplomacy
University of Lagos, Nigeria – 1987

– B.Sc. (First Class Honours) Psychology
University of Ibadan, Nigeria – 1980
(Best graduating student: University Senate Prize, Faculty of Social Sciences Prize, Department of Psychology Prize)

– Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), Regular Combatant Course 12
Commissioned 2nd Lieutenant, Nigerian Army – December 1974
(Among top 10 cadets)

Military Career:

– Commissioned 2nd Lieutenant, Nigerian Army – 1974
– Intelligence Officer, Directorate of Military Intelligence
– Promoted to Colonel
– Compulsory retirement from Nigerian Army – 1993

Senior National Security Appointments:

Director General, State Security Service (SSS) May 1999 – August 2007
(Longest-serving DG SSS in Nigerian history; served under Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Umaru Yar’Adua)

Deputy National Security Adviser, Federal Republic of Nigeria
April 2010 – c. 2010/2011

Acting National Security Adviser
18 September 2010 – 4 October 2010
(Interim appointment following resignation of Gen. Aliyu Mohammed Gusau)

Professional Profile Summary:

Retired intelligence and national security expert with over 33 years of combined military and civilian intelligence service, including eight consecutive years as head of Nigeria’s domestic intelligence agency.

Amin Muhammad Dalhatu, Ambassador-Designate.

State of Origin: Jigawa State
Status: Career Diplomat & Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Nigeria

Professional Summary:

Seasoned Nigerian diplomat with extensive experience in international relations and bilateral diplomacy. Served as Ambassador to the Republic of Korea (South Korea), fostering economic, cultural, and political ties between Nigeria and host nations.

Key Appointments

Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Republic of Korea (South Korea) Embassy of Nigeria, Seoul
c. 2017 – c. 2023

– Presented Letters of Credence in September 2017 under President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.

– Oversaw diplomatic operations, consular services, and promotion of Nigeria-Korea relations, including trade, investment, and cultural exchanges.

– Hosted high-profile dignitaries, such as Reverend Mother Esther Abimbola Ajayi in 2019, highlighting Nigeria’s global cultural outreach.

Earlier Diplomatic Career

– Career diplomat in the Nigerian Foreign Service, with prior postings and roles in international diplomacy (specific details not publicly detailed).

– Contributed to Nigeria’s foreign policy implementation across various capacities within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

– Advanced diplomatic training and qualifications through the Nigerian Foreign Service (details not publicly available).

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 over three decades of service in Nigeria’s foreign affairs and intelligence sectors. Expertise in international relations, multilateral diplomacy, and national security. Served as Nigeria’s top intelligence chief from 2013 to 2017, overseeing covert operations and foreign intelligence. Cleared of all allegations in 2023 following a six-year legal process.

Key Appointments

Director General, National Intelligence Agency (NIA) Federal Republic of Nigeria
November 2013 – October 2017

– Appointed by President Goodluck Jonathan; oversaw Nigeria’s external intelligence operations, including counter-terrorism and strategic intelligence gathering.

– Suspended in April 2017 by President Muhammadu Buhari pending investigation into recovered funds at a Lagos apartment (described as an operational safe house); fully dismissed in October 2017.

– Legal case terminated in June 2023 by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) with no wrongdoing found; court proceedings withdrawn.

Ambassador to the Commonwealth Secretariat London, United Kingdom
c. 2005 – c. 2009.

– Represented Nigeria in multilateral engagements with the Commonwealth of Nations, advancing diplomatic, economic, and governance initiatives.

– Contributed to high-level policy dialogues and bilateral relations within the 56-member organization.

Director (Regions), National Intelligence Agency (NIA) Headquarters, Abuja

– Managed regional intelligence coordination and operations across Africa and beyond.

Earlier Diplomatic Career

– Joined the Nigerian Foreign Service as a career diplomat (entry date not publicly available).

– Served in various diplomatic postings and roles within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, focusing on international relations and consular affairs (specific details not extensively documented in public sources).

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News

Ramadan: Adamawa gov relaxes night-time restriction on tricycles

Published

5 hours ago

February 21, 2026

Newsbreak365_Admin

The Governor of Adamawa State, Ahmadu Fintiri, has approved a review of the existing restriction on the operations of commercial tricycles, known as Keke NAPEP, in parts of the state for the 2026 Ramadan period.

This was disclosed in a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Humwashi Wonosikou, on Friday.

The statement said the restriction, which previously ran from 10pm to 5am would now commence an hour later.

“Under the revised directive, the restriction which previously ran from 10pm to 5am will now commence from 11p to 5am daily throughout the 2026 Ramadan period.

“The review takes immediate effect,” the statement read.

The government explained that the adjustment was introduced to ease movement for Muslim faithful during the holy month.

“The adjustment is intended to allow Muslim faithful attend late-night tafsir sessions with ease during the holy month,” it added.

The statement recalled that the Adamawa State Government had, in February 2021, imposed restrictions on the movement of tricycles and motorcycles through the Adamawa State Restriction of Movement of Tricycles/Motorcycles Executive Order No. 1 of 2021, as part of measures to strengthen public safety and security.

It noted that the latest review reflects the administration’s effort to balance religious observance with security considerations.

“The present review is therefore informed by the Government’s commitment to supporting religious observance, while maintaining the gains recorded in peace and security across the state,” the statement said.

Fintiri also directed security agencies to intensify patrols across the affected local government areas.

“Governor Fintiri has accordingly directed security agencies to intensify patrols, particularly within Yola North, Yola South and Girei, through the deployment of additional personnel to safeguard lives and property.

“He warned that any breach of the law will be dealt with decisively,” the statement added.

The governor further appealed to residents to act responsibly and avoid actions that could undermine the peace and stability currently enjoyed in the state.

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News

DSS to arraign El-Rufai Feb 25 over alleged cybercrime, security breach

Published

23 hours ago

February 20, 2026

Newsbreak365_Admin

The Department of State Services (DSS) will on February 25 arraign former Gov. Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State on alleged cybercrime and breach of national security

LIB had earlier reported that the DSS on Monday, February 16, filed a three-count criminal charge against El-Rufai following his alleged involvement in wiretapping the telephone lines of the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu.

According to the court papers, El-Rufai was alleged to have, on Feb. 13, while appearing as a guest on Arise TV station’s Prime Time Programme in Abuja, “admitted during the interview that he and his cohorts unlawfully intercepted the phone communications of the NSA, Mr Ribadu.”

The offence is said to be contrary to and punishable under Section 12(1) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024.

In count two, the ex-governor was alleged to have, on February 13, while appearing as a guest on Arise TV station’s Prime Time Programme in Abuja, stated during the interview that he knew and related with a certain individual who unlawfully intercepted the phone communications of the NSA, without reporting the said individual to relevant security agencies.

The offence is said to be contrary to and punishable under Section 27(b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024.

Count three alleged that El-Rufai and others still at large, sometime in 2026, in Abuja, did use technical equipment or systems which compromised public safety and national security and instilled reasonable apprehension of insecurity among Nigerians by unlawfully intercepting the NSA’s phone communications.

The DSS said the ex-governor by his own comment during the live interview committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 131(2) Nigerian Communications Act 2003.”

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News

Mob besieges Benin FRSC office

Published

23 hours ago

February 20, 2026

Newsbreak365_Admin

The Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Malam Shehu Mohammed, has praised the Nigerian Army and Nigeria Police Force for their swift and decisive response during the recent attack on the Benin Toll Gate Unit Command Office.

The attack occurred on Thursday at the RS5.12 Benin Toll Gate Unit on the Benin–Lagos Expressway, following a crash involving two trucks, the statement said.

One truck driver died in the accident, while FRSC personnel sustained critical injuries, with one officer later succumbing despite urgent medical attention.

“In the aftermath of the crash, an angry mob besieged and vandalised the Unit Command formation. However, the prompt response by security agencies helped to restore order and prevent further escalation,” Mohammed said in a statement issued on Friday by the FRSC spokesman, Olusegun Ogungbemide, in Abuja.

The Corps Marshal condemned the attack on FRSC personnel and facilities as “deeply regrettable and unacceptable,” emphasising that the operatives were on lawful duty to save lives.

He also commiserated with the families of the deceased driver, the fallen officer, and the entire FRSC workforce.

Mohammed has ordered a comprehensive investigation into both the immediate and underlying causes of the crash and the circumstances that led to the mob action.

He assured the public that anyone found culpable would be brought to justice.

The FRSC boss reaffirmed the Corps’ commitment to ensuring safer roads for all Nigerians and called on the public to remain calm, law-abiding, and supportive of its activities.

(NAN)

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