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By Goli Innocent
Nigeria’s ambassador-designate to Algeria, Mohammed Mahmud Lele, has died at the age of 50.
The Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed his death in a statement issued in Abuja on Wednesday, revealing that he passed away on April 19, 2026, in Ankara, Türkiye, after a prolonged illness.
According to the ministry, Lele was a senior diplomat serving as Director in charge of the Middle East and Gulf Division before his recent nomination and confirmation as ambassador-designate to Algeria.
“The late Ambassador Lele, until his death after a protracted illness, was the Director in charge of the Middle East and Gulf Division in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs,” the statement said.
He had been appointed by President Bola Tinubu as ambassador-designate following Senate confirmation, but died before assuming full diplomatic duties in Algeria.
Born in Gamawa, Bauchi State, in 1976, Lele studied Economics at Bayero University, Kano, before joining the Foreign Service.
He served Nigeria in several diplomatic missions, including Berlin, Lomé and Riyadh, where he built a reputation as a disciplined and experienced career officer.
The ministry described him as a committed diplomat with strong intellectual capacity and a deep understanding of international relations.
“Ambassador Lele was known for his intellectual depth, strategic insight and commitment to the advancement of Nigeria’s foreign policy objectives,” it added.
His remains were received in Abuja by officials of the ministry before being moved for burial in Kano in line with Islamic rites.
The ministry said his death is a significant loss to Nigeria’s diplomatic corps and the foreign service at large.
