President Bola Tinubu has appointed Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu as Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, following the resignation of Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, who stepped down to pursue political ambitions ahead of the 2027 elections.
Until her elevation, Odumegwu-Ojukwu served as Minister of State for Foreign Affairs.
In a related development, the President nominated Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye as Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, subject to Senate confirmation.
Enikanolaiye, who hails from Kogi State, was until his nomination the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Affairs and International Relations.
A career diplomat, Enikanolaiye brings over three decades of experience in Nigeria’s foreign service.
He previously served as Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and held key diplomatic postings in Addis Ababa, Belgrade, Ottawa, London and New Delhi. His nomination is seen as part of efforts to strengthen institutional capacity and policy coordination within Nigeria’s foreign policy establishment.
The Presidency said the appointments form part of ongoing moves to reposition Nigeria’s foreign policy architecture for greater efficiency, strategic engagement and stronger global partnerships.
President Tinubu urged the new appointees to prioritise Nigeria’s national interest through robust economic diplomacy, regional cooperation and the protection of Nigerians at home and abroad.
He also congratulated them on their appointments and charged them to deliver on the administration’s foreign policy objectives.
