Nigerian Ambassador Kayode Aare Presents Credentials to Trump, Assumes Duty in U.S.

Kayode Aare has formally begun his role as Nigeria's chief envoy to the United States, presenting his letter of credence to President Donald Trump at the White House. Aare, a retired army colonel and former director-general of the State Security Service, officially assumed his duties on Thursday.

The presentation of letters of credence is a formal diplomatic process, certifying an envoy's authority to represent their nation. The Nigerian Embassy in the U.S. announced Aare's commencement of duties via X, stating he is now the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to the United States.

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H.E. Ambassador Lateef Kayode Kolawole Are today presented his Letter of Credence to the U.S. Government, formally commencing his duties as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to the United States.

Aare takes office as diplomatic and security ties between Nigeria and the U.S. are experiencing increased engagement. This follows U.S. allegations of Christian genocide against Nigeria, which have spurred closer cooperation, including a joint military operation that resulted in the death of an ISWAP leader. Public concern has arisen regarding potential long-term U.S. military presence in Nigeria.

His appointment is part of a broader diplomatic reshuffle by President Bola Tinubu, who announced new ambassadors in December, with their postings approved in March. This occurred two years after the previous ambassadors were recalled without a stated reason. Other recent diplomatic appointments include Jimoh Ibrahim assuming duty as Nigeria's Permanent Representative to the UN and Femi Fani-Kayode being redeployed to South Africa from Germany.

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I was not comfortable with Germany for several personal reasons. Given that I have lived in Europe most of my life, I would prefer to go to South Africa, which is a country that I have never been to and for which I have so much interest. I expressed the fact that I would rather serve in a country that shares some of my convictions, beliefs and values when it comes to world affairs, that has the biggest economy in Africa, that has closer ties to Nigeria, and that is more proxima