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President Bola Tinubu has appointed Nigerian ambassadors to Iran and Israel amidst ongoing violence and escalating war in the Middle East.
The presidency on Friday announced the posting of Salau Mohammed to Iran and Nkechi Ufochukwu to Israel. They were posted alongside 63 others posted to other countries. All the nominees were confirmed last December by the Senate.
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Their appointment as ambassadors comes six days afterthe US and Israel launched an unprovoked strike against Iran, which triggered a significant violent crisis in the Middle East.
PREMIUM TIMES earlier reported that at least 1,230 Iranians have been killed in the war. Unlike the 12-day war, which occurred in June 2025, the US and Israel’s missiles are not solely focused on the capital city, Tehran, but have also targeted other major cities.
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Iran, in retaliation, targeted American bases in neighbouring Gulf States, drawing in Kuwait, the UAE, Bahrain, and Qatar. About 12 people have been killed by Iranian strikes in Israel.
The violence in the region led to the suspension of flight operations, oil exports, and the disruption of energy flows.
Meanwhile, the US government said it envisages that the war would last four weeks or more.
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The Ambassadors
President Tinubu’s deployment of the ambassadors comes three years into his administration.
He had recalled the previous ambassadors, including 41 non-career and 42 career diplomats, in September 2023 without stating a specific reason.
Since then, no replacements have been announced, effectively leaving Nigeria without formal high-level representation in several countries.
Consuls-general and chargés d’affaires have been handling diplomatic functions, despite lacking the full authority, especially in high-level negotiations, political representation, and formal diplomatic ceremonies.
The president did not announce new ambassadorial nominees until December 2025, when faced with intense antagonism from the US over allegations of Christian genocide.
It remains unclear if the newly appointed ambassadors to Iran and Israel are expected to depart for their host countries soon or if the ongoing war might hold them back.
Nigeria earlier said it is committed to strengthening bilateral relations with Iran and maintaining diplomatic engagement with the country.
Mr Salau is a career Nigerian diplomat from Niger State, a professional member of Nigeria’s foreign service.
He had previously represented Nigeria in the Gulf region, particularly Qatar, according to media reports.
Ms Ufochukwu, on the other hand, is a non-career diplomat who previously served as Special Adviser (Legal) to the Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology.
President Tinubu also appointed Lateef Are, a career diplomat, as the Nigerian ambassador to the US.
Following their appointment, the newly appointed ambassadors will have to receive diplomatic agrément — a formal approval required before an envoy can present credentials— from their host country before assuming duty.
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