President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the postings of 31 career and 34 non-career ambassadors to various countries and the United Nations. The Senate confirmed the ambassadors-designate last December.

POSTINGS OF NON-CAREER AMBASSADORS / HIGH COMMISSIONERS

S/N NAME MISSION APPROVED

1. SENATOR GRACE BENT: LOME-TOGO
2. SEN. ITA ENANG: SOUTH AFRICA
3. IKPEAZU VICTOR: SPAIN
4. NKECHI LINDA UFOCHUKWU: TEL-AVIV, ISRAEL
5. MAHMUD YAKUBU: QATAR
6. PAUL OGA ADIKWU: THE VATICAN CITY HOLY SEE
7. VICE ADMIRAL IBOK-ETE EKWE IBAS: THE PHILIPPINES
8. MR. RENO OMOKRI: MEXICO CITY, MEXICO
9. HON. (ENGR.) ABASI BRAIMAH (FMHR): BUDAPEST, HUNGARY
10. MRS. ERELU ANGELA ADEBAYO: PORTUGAL
11. BARR. OLUMILUA OLUWAYIMIKA AYOTUNWA: TOKYO, JAPAN
12. RT. HON. UGWUANYI IFEANYI LAWRENCE: ATHENS, GREECE
13. BARR. CHIOMA PRISCILLA OHAKIM: WARSAW, POLAND
14. AMINU DALHATU: UNITED KINGDOM, UK
15. LT. GEN. ABDULRAHMAN BELLO DAMBAZAU: BEIJING, CHINA
16. HON. TASIU MUSA MAIGARI: GAMBIA
17. OLUFEMI PEDRO: AUSTRALIA
18. BARR. MUHAMMED UBANDOMA ALIYU: ARGENTINA
19. LATEEF KAYODE ARE: USA
20. AMB. JOSEPH SOLA IJI: RUSSIA
21. SEN. JIMOH IBRAHIM: UN PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE
22. FEMI FANI KAYODE: GERMANY
23. PROF. ISAAK FOLORUNSO ADEWOLE: OTTAWA, CANADA
24. AJIMOBI FATIMA FLORENCE (F): AUSTRIA
25. MRS. LOLA AKANDE (F): SWEDEN
26. AYODELE OKE: FRANCE
27. YAKUBU N. GAMBO: SAUDI ARABIA
28. SENATOR PROF. NORA LADI DADUUT: SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA
29. BARR. ONUEZE CHUKWUJIKA JOE OKOCHA SAN: DUBLIN
30. DR. KULU HARUNA ABUBAKAR: TUNIS, TUNISIA
31. RT. HON. JERRY SAMUEL MANWE: PORT OF SPAIN, T&T

POSTINGS OF CAREER AMBASSADORS / HIGH COMMISSIONERS LIST

S/N   NAME                                   MISSION APPROVED

1. AMB. NWABIOLA EZENWA CHUKWUMEKA: COTE D’IV/OIRE
2. BESTO MAIMUNA IBRAHIM: NIAMEY-NIGER
3. MONICA OKWUCHUKWU ENEBECHI: SAO TOME, STP
4. AMB. MOHAMMED MAHMUD LELE: ALGIERS-ALGERIA
5. ENDONI SYNDOPH PAEBI: OUAGADOUGOU-BURKINA FASO
6. AHMED MOHAMMED MONGUNO: CAIRO EGYPT
7. AMB.JANE ADAMS (NEE OKON) MICHAEL (F): KINGSTON-JAMAICA
8. AMB. CLARK-OMERU ALEXANDRA (F): LUSAKA-ZAMBIA
9. CHIMA GEOGGREY LIOMA DAVID: BAMAKO-MALI
10. AMB. ODUMAH YVONNE EHINOSEN: MALABO –E/GUINEA
11. AMB WASA SEGUN IGE: BEIRUT, LEBANON
12. RUBEN ABIMBOLA SAMUEL (F): ROME, ITALY
13. AMB.ONAGA OGECHUKWU KINGSLEY: MAPUTO, MOZAMBIQUE
14. AMB.MAGAJI UMAR: KINSASHA, DR CONGO
15. AMB.MUHAMMAD SAIDU DAHIRU: NEW DELHI-INDIA
16. AMB. ABDUSSALAM HABU ZAYYAD: DAKAR-SENEGAL
17. AMB SHEHU ILU BARDE: ACCRA GHANA
18. AMB.AMINU NASIR: ETHIOPIA
19. ABUBAKAR MUSA MUSA: N’DJAMENA, CHAD
20. AMB. HAIDARA MOHAMMED IDRIS: THE HAGUE-NETHERLANDS
21. AMB.BAKO ADAMU UMAR: RABAT-MOROCCO
22. AMB. SULU GAMBARI OLATUNJI AHMED: MALAYSIA
23. AMB.ROMATA MOHAMMED OMOBOLANLE (F): TANZANIA
24. AMB. SHAGA JOHN SHAMAH: BOTSWANA
25. SALAU, HAMZA MOHAMMED: TEHRAN, IRAN
26. AMB.IBRAHIM DANLAMI: KENYA
27. IBRAHIM ADEOLA MOPELOLA (F): COTONOU-BENIN
28. AMB.AYENI ADEBAYO EMMANUEL: BRUSSELS, BELGIUM
29. AMB.AKANDE WAHAB ADEKOLA: BERNE-SWITZERLAND
30. AMB. AREWA (NEE ADEDOKUN) ESTHER (F): WINDHOEK-NAMIBIA
31. AMB.GERGADI JOSEPH JOHN: LIBREVILLE-GABON
32. AMB. LUTHER OGBOMODE AYO-KALATA (F): SIERRA LEONE
33. DANLADI YAKUBU NYAKU : KHARTOUM-SUDAN
34. BELLO DOGON-DAJI HALIRU: BANGKOK, THAILAND

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has already received agrément from the United Kingdom for the High Commissioner-designate, Ambassador Aminu Dalhatu. Similarly, France has sent the agrément for Ambassador Ayo Oke.

The Ministry has also conveyed the nominations of the other 62 designated envoys to all the countries concerned, including a request for their agréments in line with standard diplomatic practice.

President Tinubu has directed that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs should immediately commence the induction programme for the ambassadors-designate and High Commissioners.

As the global community commemorates International Women’s Day 2026 under the theme “Give to Gain,” the Executive Director, Centre for Media and Society, CEMESO, Dr. Akin Akingbulu, has called for a deliberate restructuring of Nigeria’s political and media power architecture, asserting that democratic resilience and economic growth depend on institutional inclusion—not rhetorical commitment.

According to Dr. Akingbulu, Nigeria’s democratic stability and long-term prosperity are inseparable from the intentional redistribution of power, visibility, and protection within its governance and information systems.

“The promise of ‘Give to Gain’ is not sentimental,” he stated. “It is economic, democratic, and structural. No nation can exclude half of its population from influence and still claim legitimacy or sustainable development.”

He explained that the theme demands clarity about what must be given—and what the country stands to gain. Political parties, media proprietors, and institutional gatekeepers must relinquish exclusionary patronage networks, biased editorial gatekeeping, and the tolerance of digital violence that systematically push women out of public discourse.

In return, Nigeria gains strengthened democratic credibility, expanded productivity, and deeper public trust.

Global economic projections indicate that full integration of women into economic life could raise national GDP by nearly nine percent. Likewise, a media ecosystem that reflects the diversity of its population enhances democratic legitimacy and citizen confidence.

Akingbulu further observed that Nigeria continues to operate within what he described as a regime of “rhetorical equality,” where constitutional guarantees are undermined by weak enforcement. Women currently occupy only 3.7 percent of Senate seats and 4.4 percent of seats in the House of Representatives—significantly below the 35 percent benchmark articulated in national gender policy. Wage disparities ranging from 20 to 30 percent persist across sectors, while millions of women remain constrained by structural barriers to safety, health, and bodily autonomy. These gaps, he emphasized, are not peripheral social concerns—they are governance vulnerabilities that weaken institutional performance and public trust.

He cautioned against treating Nigerian women as a homogeneous category, underscoring the intersectional realities that deepen exclusion. Rural women operating within informal agricultural economies remain locked out of formal credit markets due to customary land tenure systems.

In parts of Nigeria, insecurity continues to suppress female school attendance, while women in conflict-affected regions face compounded risks of displacement and exclusion from formal peacebuilding processes. “Inclusion must be granular,” Dr. Akingbulu noted. “If reform does not account for geography, age, disability, and conflict exposure, inequality simply reappears under a new label.”

Within the media sector itself, CEMESO identifies patterns that mirror broader political marginalisation. Female experts remain underrepresented in policy debates and election coverage, while female political actors are frequently relegated to soft-feature reporting or subjected to gendered framing. Digital harassment has created what Dr. Akingbulu described as a “chilling effect,” discouraging women journalists, analysts, and candidates from sustained civic engagement. “Nigeria cannot broadcast its way out of a governance crisis using only half its voices,” he asserted. “To ‘Give to Gain’ means dismantling entrenched newsroom hierarchies and enforcing safety standards that protect female journalists from both physical and digital intimidation.” We are not merely commemorating a day; we are demanding a fundamental shift in editorial power and increase participation of women in the electoral process through the passage of the Special Seats Bill (HB 1349). Without gender parity in both the ballot box and the newsroom, our democratic architecture lacks the foundation to withstand the pressures of 2027 and beyond.”

Reaffirming CEMESO’s mandate in media development and democratic strengthening, Dr. Akingbulu stressed that the organisation’s commitment extends beyond advocacy. “We are not calling for symbolic gestures,” he stated. “We are investing in institutional mechanisms that make inclusion measurable, monitorable, and enforceable.”

Accordingly, CEMESO urged the media to uptake its resources on Gender Sensitive Guidelines for Media Coverage of the Electoral Process in Nigeria, It also assured of its commitment  to expand its gender-sensitive media interventions to track representation trends in political and governance reporting; strengthen digital safety and protection toolkits for female journalists and civic actors confronting online abuse; and deepen capacity-building initiatives that widen the pipeline of women experts across broadcast, print, and digital platforms. These interventions are designed to normalise women’s leadership within the public information ecosystem and reduce structural bias in political communication.

CEMESO also called on critical stakeholders to act decisively, urging the National Assembly to pass the Special Seats Bill (HB 1349) to ensure that women’s representation moves beyond the current stagnation which is below five percent.

State governments were encouraged to fully implement and adequately fund protective legislation that safeguards women’s rights and participation. Media proprietors were advised to institutionalise gender-sensitive editorial standards and sanction harassment within newsrooms. Political parties were challenged to adopt transparent nomination processes and structured support systems that reduce the financial and structural barriers confronting female candidates.

The election management body urged to review and strengthen its gender policy to promote inclusive electoral processes and ensure greater participation of women in Nigeria’s political space.

Concluding, Dr. Akingbulu emphasised that the road to 2030 demands more than ceremonial observance. “Equality is not a concession—it is infrastructure,” he said. “If Nigeria gives women equitable access to power, protection, and platforms, the nation will gain economic stability, democratic legitimacy, and social cohesion. The cost of exclusion is stagnation. The dividend of inclusion is national resilience.”

On this International Women’s Day, CEMESO reiterates that the future of Nigeria’s democracy will be determined not by commemorative statements, but by whether institutions are prepared to relinquish entrenched privilege in order to build a more prosperous and legitimate nation.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has nominated Mr Taiwo Oyedele as the Minister of State for Finance, replacing Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite.

Uzoka-Anite will now move to the Ministry of Budget and National Planning, as the Minister of State, her third portfolio in the administration.

President Tinubu has today conveyed the nomination of Oyedele to the Senate for confirmation in a letter to the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio.

Until President Tinubu nominated him as a minister, Oyedele from Ikaram, Akoko, Ondo State, was the chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, which overhauled Nigeria’s tax system.

Oyedele, 50, is an economist, accountant and public policy expert.

He attended Yaba College of Technology, where he obtained a Higher National Diploma (HND) in accountancy and finance. He attended Oxford Brookes University and earned a BSc in applied accounting.

He also completed executive education programmes at the London School of Economics, Yale University, the Gordon Institute of Business Science, and the Harvard Kennedy School.

Oyedele spent 22 years of his working career at PwC, joining in 2001 and rising to become the Fiscal Policy Partner and Africa Tax Leader.

Oyedele is also a professor at Babcock University in Ogun State and a visiting scholar at the Lagos Business School.

Vice President Kashim Shettima said on Wednesday in Abuja, that the implementation of new tax reforms will eliminate the burden of multiple levies and charges on small businesses and low-income earners in Nigeria, thereby helping to reduce poverty.

Shettima noted that the planning and implementation of the tax reforms were carefully designed to improve livelihoods, contrary to the claims of political detractors.

The Vice President spoke on behalf of President Bola Tinubu at the interfaith breaking of fast for Ramadan and Lent held at the State House. Attendees included members of the Federal Executive Council, the Central Bank governor, special advisers, senior special assistants and heads of agencies and parastatals.

Shettima urged them all to remain champions of the government’s reforms.

He said the government is genuinely concerned about Nigerians’ plight and is releasing policy instruments to lift many out of poverty without adding to their burdens.

“The same people who are shouting hoarse that the tax reform is meant to pulverise further and pauperise the poor are far from the truth, but we have to go out and tell the truth to the people.

“We have to educate them. We have to mount the pulpits and take our government to the Nigerian people and tell them the truth,” he said.

Shettima highlighted some of the gains of the economic reforms, including an increase in the nation’s foreign exchange reserves, streamlining of the exchange rates and the removal of a subsidy that had favoured only a few for many years.

He said President Tinubu should be commended for the courage to address the issues that past administrations avoided.

The Vice President explained that the removal of the fuel subsidy was not mentioned in the President’s 2023 inaugural speech. Still, the President had to announce it, knowing that the system was draining the economy of resources for development.

“Three years down the road, the economy has bounced back,’’ he added.

“On behalf of the President, I want to thank you all for comradeship, support and partnership,’’ he stated.

Shettima advised government officials to be more active in sharing facts about the administration’s achievements and to be ready to counter falsehoods propagated by the opposition parties.

Nigeria will launch the highly anticipated National Single Window (NSW) platform on March 27, a move described by the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, as a “monumental” step in transforming the country’s trade ecosystem.

Gbajabiamila disclosed this during a stakeholders’ meeting at the State House, Abuja, attended by ministers, agency heads, and key officials.

He said the initiative, first launched by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu nearly two years ago, is a far-reaching fiscal reform that will streamline trade procedures, improve efficiency, and enhance Nigeria’s competitiveness.

“We are about to launch yet another reform, fiscal reform by this administration, which in its nature will be very transformational.

“As the name suggests, it is a single national window as opposed to multiple single windows.

“This meeting is to review the progress we have made and get your commitment that we will manage this transition smoothly.

The Chief of Staff commended the dedication and professionalism of the Central Bank, the Nigeria Revenue Service, the Nigeria Customs Service and other agencies involved.

Earlier in his presentation, the NSW Co-ordinator, Mr Tola Fakolade, urged agencies to intensify support in the final 23 days before the “go-live” as scheduled.

According to him, the first phase will enable online processing of import permits, electronic submission of cargo manifests, and the introduction of a centralised risk management system.

He added that nationwide user training is ongoing, and pilot testing will soon be conducted to ensure a smooth rollout.

Fakolade added that cargo manifests would be submitted electronically and transmitted automatically to relevant agencies without human intervention.

“The support that we need from each of the agencies is even more critical now. Documents will be submitted once and shared with all relevant agencies without duplication,” he said.

Co-ordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to the project.

“This is a growth-enhancing and growth-enabling project. What is required of the Ministry of Finance, we will definitely do,” he said.

Jumoke Oduwole, Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, reiterated the ministry’s full support, calling the project a critical pillar of the Renewed Hope Agenda.

She stressed that the initiative is long overdue and promised active collaboration with relevant agencies over the next three weeks to sensitise traders, importers, and exporters.

The Governor of the Central Bank, Olayemi Cardoso, also pledged the Bank’s full support, highlighting the importance of closing Nigeria’s trade facilitation gap with other countries.

Similarly, Chairman of the Nigeria Revenue Service, Zacch Adedeji, called for stronger coordination and political will, proposing that the Minister of Trade lead the 23-day implementation phase to ensure seamless delivery.

Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, described the NSW project as a historic milestone, emphasising direct engagement with stakeholders and full collaboration to guarantee success.

At the end of the meeting, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment was mandated to lead the implementation phase to ensure a smooth and successful launch on March 27.

Agencies represented, apart from the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), were the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).

Others were the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), the Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service (NQS), and the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency.  (NESREA).