President Tinubu confirmed the postings of Ambassador Ayodele Oke as the ambassador-designate to France, and Colonel Lateef Are as the ambassador-designate to the United States of America.

Also confirmed by the President is the posting of Ambassador Amin Dalhatu, former ambassador to South Korea, as the high commissioner-designate to the United Kingdom.

Usman Isa Dakingari Suleiman, former governor of Kebbi, is the ambassador-designate to Turkey, where the President is scheduled to begin a state visit next week.

In a memo to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, President Tinubu urged the ministry to notify the governments of the four countries about the ambassador-designates, in accordance with diplomatic procedures.

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Amb. Mills was confirmed as U.S. ambassador to Nigeria nearly two years ago in May, 2024.

“Ambassador Mills led the U.S. Mission in strengthening relationship with Nigeria for the last year and a half.

“Current Deputy Chief of Mission Keith Heffern will serve as Charge d’Affaires, until further notice,” the U.S. Mission in Nigeria said on Tuesday.

Trump announced the comprehensive diplomatic shake-up in  December, 2025, affecting many U.S. envoys, including Mills, whose tour of duty officially ended on Friday.

Unlike typical transitions where political appointees resign, this move was considered highly unusual because it abruptly removed career diplomats, who usually remain in place for continuity.

The affected diplomats, most of whom were career Foreign Service officers, who were appointed during the Biden administration, were notified that their tenures would end in January, 2026.

According to the U.S. Department of State, out of the large number of envoys, who were withdrawn from more than two dozen countries, Africa is the most impacted.

It explained that the recalls were part of a broader effort to realign the Department with President Trump’s “America First” priorities.

Officials described the move as a “standard process,” arguing that the President has the right to ensure envoys are personal representatives who fully support his agenda.

They added that the envoys were merely being recalled to Washington for other assignments and would not lose their foreign service jobs.

However, the American Foreign Service Association (the diplomats’ union) called the move “highly irregular” and “institutional sabotage,” expressing concern that it would weaken U.S. credibility and leave critical posts vacant.

The latest development comes amid some developments in U.S.-Nigeria relations, such as the U.S. redesignation of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern, and visa restrictions, among others.

Relations between the two countries have, however, remained mutually beneficial and will continue to improve, especially with both countries currently striving to strengthen diplomatic relations through various initiatives and partnerships.

NAN

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The Public Diplomacy Department of the U.S. Mission in Nigeria, which disclosed this on Friday in Abuja, said the agreement had provisionally been applied since 2000.

The bilateral agreement establishes a modern civil aviation relationship between the two countries.

The mission said that the agreement was consistent with the U.S. Open Skies international aviation policy with commitments to high standards of aviation safety and security.

“This agreement with Nigeria is a step forward in liberalising the international civil aviation sector in Africa.

“It further expands our strong economic and commercial partnership, promotes people-to-people ties, and creates new opportunities for airlines, travel companies and customers.

“The agreement includes provisions that allow for unrestricted capacity and frequency of services, open route rights, a liberal charter regime and open code-sharing opportunities.

“With this agreement, air carriers can provide more affordable, convenient, and efficient air services to travellers and shippers, which in turn promotes tourism and commerce.”

It recalled that the U.S. Deputy Secretary of State, Kurt Campbell, had earlier in April, held a meeting with Nigeria’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Amb. Yusuf Tuggar.

The mission said the duo reiterated their commitment to a vibrant partnership to build a prosperous future for both nations.

It quoted Department of State Spokesman, Matthew Miller, as saying: “On May 14, Deputy Secretary Kurt Campbell met with Nigerian Foreign Minister Yusuf Tuggar in Washington.

“On the heels of their engagement during a successful U.S.-Nigeria Bi-national Commission(BNC) in Abuja last month, the Deputy Secretary and Foreign Minister made progress toward implementing mutual economic, governance, and security priorities.”

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Campbell had, during his visit to Nigeria, co-chaired the sixth U.S.-Nigeria Bi-national Commission with Tuggar.

He also held discussions with senior government officials, business leaders, civil society representatives on partnerships, shared prosperity, democracy, governance and accountability, movement of people, among others.

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