Kayode Are begins US ambassador role, presents credentials to Trump

Former Director-General of the Department of State Services, Kayode Are, has formally assumed office as Nigeria’s ambassador to the United States after presenting his letter of credence to President Donald Trump and the US government at the White House.

Are officially began his diplomatic assignment on Thursday, marking the start of his tenure as Nigeria’s top envoy in Washington.

His appointment forms part of the ambassadorial nominations submitted to the Senate by President Bola Tinubu in November 2025 as part of efforts to fill key diplomatic positions across Nigeria’s foreign missions.

Tinubu had initially forwarded a list of 32 nominees to the Senate before sending an additional request seeking confirmation for three non-career ambassadorial appointments.

Are, an indigene of Ogun State and former intelligence chief, was named among the non-career nominees alongside Aminu Dalhatu from Jigawa State and Ayodele Oke from Oyo State.

The Senate later confirmed 64 ambassadorial nominees in December 2025, comprising 34 career diplomats and 30 non-career appointees.

Following the confirmation, President Tinubu approved Are’s deployment to Washington in January, assigning him the strategic responsibility of managing Nigeria’s diplomatic relations with the United States.

Are’s posting to one of Nigeria’s most sensitive foreign missions places him at the centre of bilateral engagements involving trade, security cooperation, investment, diaspora affairs and broader diplomatic relations between Abuja and Washington.

The former DSS boss now steps into the role at a time Nigeria seeks stronger international partnerships, deeper economic cooperation and sustained security collaboration with the United States.