Nigerian President Tinubu Appoints Consuls-General and Chargés d'Affaires for 14 Countries

On April 25, 2024, Nigerian President Bola Tinubu approved the appointment of 12 consuls-general and 5 chargés d'affaires for 14 countries. The announcement was made by Alkasim Abdulkadir, the special assistant on media and communications strategy to the minister of foreign affairs.

The newly appointed consuls-general will represent Nigeria in the following locations: Atlanta (USA), Bata (Equatorial Guinea), Douala (Cameroon), Shanghai (China), Hong Kong (China), New York (USA), Frankfurt (Germany), Buea (Cameroon), Guangzhou (China), Johannesburg (South Africa), Dubai (UAE), and Jeddah (Saudi Arabia).

The chargés d'affaires and their assigned missions include: Saidu Dodo (Damascus, Syria), Patrick Imoudu Imologhome (Pyongyang, Democratic People's Republic of Korea), Francisca Omayuli (Singapore, Singapore), Babagana Ahmadu (Bangui, Central African Republic), and Mohammed Mohammed (Tripoli, Libya).

Foreign Minister Yusuf Tuggar emphasized that the new appointees are critical to Tinubu's economic agenda and must prioritize diplomacy over political affiliations. "The minister charged the new appointees to be good ambassadors of Nigeria and focus on diplomacy for the country's collective interest and development, rather than engaging in politics," according to the announcement.

Ambassador Abubakar Jidda, the newly appointed Consul General to New York, reassured Nigerians of the appointees' commitment to upholding the ethos of the profession and bringing much-needed investments to Nigeria. The new appointees are expected to commence their duties without delay.

Why this matters: These diplomatic appointments reflect Nigeria's efforts to strengthen its international relations and attract foreign investments under President Tinubu's administration. The strategic placement of consuls-general and chargés d'affaires in key locations worldwide aims to promote Nigeria's interests and foster economic development.

The appointments come as part of President Tinubu's foreign policy thrust, which focuses on development, democracy, demography, and diaspora. Minister Tuggar called on the diplomats to uphold national integrity through exemplary and professional leadership while representing Nigeria's interests abroad. The newly appointed officials expressed their dedication to maintaining the principles of diplomacy and attracting foreign investments to support Nigeria's growth.

Key Takeaways

• Nigerian President Tinubu appointed 12 consuls-general and 5 chargés d'affaires for 14 countries.
• The appointees will represent Nigeria in key locations worldwide, including the US, China, and Europe.
• The appointments aim to strengthen Nigeria's international relations and attract foreign investments.
• Foreign Minister Tuggar charged the diplomats to prioritize diplomacy over politics for Nigeria's interests.
• The new appointees expressed commitment to upholding diplomacy principles and attracting investments.