THE AFRICAN COURIER. Reporting Africa and its Diaspora! The African Courier is an international magazine published in Germany to report on Africa and the Diaspora African experience. The first issue of the bimonthly magazine appeared on the newsstands on 15 February 1998. The African Courier is a communication forum for European-African political, economic and cultural exchanges, and a voice for Africa in Europe.
After nearly three years of operating without ambassadors in many diplomatic missions, the Nigerian government has finally begun redeploying envoys to its embassies around the world, including several key posts in Europe.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu recently approved the posting of 65 ambassadors and high commissioners to Nigerian missions worldwide, bringing an end to a prolonged period during which many embassies were run by chargés d’affaires rather than full ambassadors. The appointments include 31 career diplomats and 34 political (non-career) appointees, whose nominations were confirmed by the Nigerian Senate in December 2025.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has begun induction programmes for the envoys before they assume their duties once host countries grant formal diplomatic approval, known as agrément.
End of a Diplomatic Gap
Nigeria has faced criticisms for leaving many strategic diplomatic missions without substantive ambassadors since 2023, when the government recalled its ambassadors shortly after Tinubu took office. The lengthy delay in appointing replacements raised concerns among diplomats and analysts about Nigeria’s international engagement and its ability to effectively represent its interests abroad.
The new appointments are expected to restore full diplomatic representation and strengthen Nigeria’s bilateral relations with partner countries.
Key Appointments in Europe
Several of the newly designated ambassadors will represent Nigeria in important European capitals.
Among the most prominent appointments is Femi Fani-Kayode, a former Nigerian aviation minister and outspoken political figure, who has been posted as Nigeria’s ambassador to Germany.
Former governor of Abia State, Okezie Ikpeazu, has been assigned to Spain, while Erelu Angela Adebayo, a seasoned administrator and academic, will represent Nigeria in Portugal.
In Hungary, Nigeria will be represented by Abasi Braimah, a former federal lawmaker, and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, the immediate past governor of Enugu State, has been appointed ambassador to Greece.
Meanwhile, veteran diplomat Aminu Dalhatu has been named Nigeria’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, one of the country’s most important diplomatic postings, and has already received approval from the British government to take up the position.
Another significant European posting is to the Holy See (Vatican City), where Paul Oga Adikwu will serve as Nigeria’s ambassador.
Strengthening Nigeria–Europe Relations
Europe remains a critical partner for Nigeria in areas such as trade, investment, migration policy security cooperation and education. The restoration of ambassadors in major European capitals is therefore expected to revitalise diplomatic engagement and improve coordination on bilateral initiatives.
The newly appointed envoys are expected to assume duties in the coming months after completing diplomatic briefings in Abuja and receiving final clearance from their host countries.
For Nigeria’s large diaspora communities in Europe — including hundreds of thousands of Nigerians living in countries such as Germany, the United Kingdom, Spain and Italy — the arrival of new ambassadors could also help address long-standing consular challenges and strengthen engagement between the government and its citizens abroad.
Sola Jolaoso
