President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who had approved the posting of four ambassadors-designate earlier this week, now confirmed only three appointments, leaving the Turkish assignment unfilled.
The Presidency on Friday clarified that no ambassador has yet been appointed to Turkey, hours after initially announcing the posting of former Kebbi State Governor, Usman Dakingari, as Nigeria’s ambassador-designate to Ankara.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who had approved the posting of four ambassadors-designate earlier this week, now confirmed only three appointments, leaving the Turkish assignment unfilled.
Bayo Onanuga, the President’s spokesperson, issued a statement on Thursday night announcing that President Tinubu had approved the posting of four ambassadors-designate out of over 60 nominees confirmed by the Senate last December.
According to the initial statement, the appointees included: Kayode Are, former Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), as ambassador-designate to the United States.
Ayodele Oke, former Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), as ambassador-designate to France;
Amin Dalhatu, former ambassador to South Korea, as High Commissioner-designate to the United Kingdom; and
Usman Dakingari, former Governor of Kebbi State, as ambassador-designate to Turkey.
However, in a follow-up statement released Friday, Onanuga clarified that President Tinubu has not appointed any ambassador to Turkey at this time.
The official list now confirms only three postings: Ambassador Ayodele Oke to France; Colonel Kayode Are to the United States of America; and Ambassador Amin Dalhatu as High Commissioner to the United Kingdom.
The Presidency has directed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to formally notify the governments of France, the United States, and the United Kingdom about the confirmed ambassadors-designate, in accordance with diplomatic procedures.