President Bola Tinubu has unveiled a new set of Nigerian ambassadors and high commissioners-designate while introducing an annual performance evaluation system to hold the country’s envoys accountable for delivering on Nigeria’s foreign policy and national development objectives.
According to a statement signed by the spokesperson, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, the new accountability framework, which includes customised Station Charters with clearly defined targets for every Head of Mission, was announced as the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, presented Letters of Credence to the ambassadors and high commissioners-designate ahead of their deployment to diplomatic missions across the world.
Under the new system, each envoy will be assessed annually based on measurable outcomes, including analytical reporting, policy recommendations and the implementation of President Tinubu’s foreign policy priorities, with a strong emphasis on attracting foreign direct investment, expanding trade opportunities, promoting national security, protecting Nigerians abroad and advancing citizen-centred diplomacy.
The envoys are Ambassador Femi Fani-Kayode, High Commissioner-designate to South Africa; Ambassador Jane Adams Bassey, Ambassador-designate to Jamaica, with concurrent accreditation to the Dominican Republic, Haiti and Belize; Ambassador Samuel Rueben Abimbola Tolulope, Ambassador-designate to Italy, with concurrent accreditation to Albania; Ambassador Joseph John Galgadi to Gabon; Ambassador Danladi Nyaku to Sudan, with concurrent accreditation to Eritrea; Ambassador Ahmed Olatunji Sulu-Gambari to Malaysia; Ambassador Geoffrey Ijeoma David Chima to Mali; Ambassador Philip Ikurusi to Zimbabwe; Ambassador Raymond Abassi to Hungary, with concurrent accreditation to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Slovenia and Serbia; Ambassador Saidu Dahiru Mohamed to 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.
Addressing the envoys, Ambassador Enikanolaiye said President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda places national development at the heart of Nigeria’s foreign policy, urging the diplomats to pursue the country’s strategic interests while ensuring that the benefits of diplomacy directly impact Nigerians at home and abroad.
The minister further emphasised the ministry’s reform agenda, anchored in the 4-Ds: Demography, Development, Democracy, and the Diaspora.
He underscored that the Nigerian people are now the centrepiece of our foreign policy, as directed by President Bola Tinubu.
The minister also underscored the importance of accountability, responsiveness, teamwork and continuous engagement between headquarters and missions to ensure that Nigeria’s diplomacy delivers tangible benefits to the citizens.
Responding on behalf of the ambassadors and high commissioners-designate, Vice Admiral Ibas Ibok-Ete Ekwe (Retd) expressed profound appreciation to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for the comprehensive induction and preparation provided over the past several months.
He assured the minister of state that the envoys fully understood the mandate entrusted to them by President Bola Tinubu and pledged to implement Nigeria’s foreign policy objectives faithfully, uphold the country’s image with professionalism and integrity, and work collectively to advance the Renewed Hope Agenda and Nigeria’s national interests while maintaining close collaboration with the ministry throughout their tour of duty.
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