President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, following the resignation of Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, who stepped down to participate in the 2027 elections.
The announcement was contained in a State House press release issued on Wednesday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu, who previously served as Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is now expected to lead Nigeria’s diplomatic engagements at a time of ongoing global realignments.
In the same vein, Tinubu nominated Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye as Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, subject to Senate confirmation. Until his nomination, he served as Senior Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Affairs and International Relations.
A seasoned diplomat from Kogi State, Enikanolaiye has over three decades of service in Nigeria’s foreign service, including previous roles as Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and postings in Addis Ababa, Belgrade, Ottawa, London and New Delhi.
The President said the appointments are part of broader efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s foreign policy direction.
“These appointments are part of ongoing efforts to reposition Nigeria’s foreign policy architecture for greater efficiency, strategic engagement and stronger global partnerships,” he said.
President Tinubu also congratulated both appointees, urging them to prioritise national interest and deepen Nigeria’s diplomatic reach.
“They are expected to work diligently to promote Nigeria’s national interest, advance economic diplomacy, foster regional stability and safeguard the welfare of Nigerians at home and abroad,” the statement quoted the president as saying.
The nomination of Enikanolaiye now awaits confirmation by the senate, while Odumegwu-Ojukwu assumes office with immediate effect.