Tinubu appoints Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu as Foreign Affairs Minister

By Johnson Arua

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu as Nigeria’s new Minister of Foreign Affairs, following the resignation of Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar.

The announcement was made on Wednesday by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, in a statement shared via his official X handle.

Odumegwu-Ojukwu, who previously served as Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, takes over from Tuggar, who stepped down to pursue his political ambition ahead of the 2027 Bauchi State governorship election.

In a related development, President Tinubu has nominated Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye as the new Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, subject to confirmation by the Senate.

Until his nomination, Enikanolaiye served as Senior Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Affairs and International Relations. A seasoned diplomat, he brings over three decades of experience in Nigeria’s foreign service.

The statement highlighted his extensive career, noting that he had served as Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and held key diplomatic positions in cities such as Addis Ababa, Belgrade, Ottawa, London, and New Delhi.

According to the Presidency, the appointments form part of ongoing efforts to reposition Nigeria’s foreign policy framework for improved efficiency and stronger global engagement.

“The President noted that these appointments are part of ongoing efforts to reposition Nigeria’s foreign policy architecture for greater efficiency, strategic engagement, and stronger global partnerships,” the statement read.

President Tinubu also congratulated the appointees and charged them to advance Nigeria’s national interest through effective diplomacy.

He urged them to prioritise economic diplomacy, promote regional stability, and protect the welfare of Nigerians both at home and abroad.