Nigeria's High Commissioner-designate to South Africa, Femi Fani-Kayode, and High Commissioner-designate to the Philippines, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (Rtd), have received their letters of credence alongside nine other ambassador-designates, clearing the way for their deployment to diplomatic missions.
The letters were presented on Monday by the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, according to a statement issued by the Ministry's spokesperson, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa.
The envoys are expected to assume duty at their respective missions in the coming days.
Others who received letters of credence include Jane Adams Bassey (Jamaica, with concurrent accreditation to the Dominican Republic, Haiti and Belize), Samuel Rueben Abimbola Tolulope (Italy, with concurrent accreditation to Albania), Joseph John Galgadi (Gabon), Danladi Nyaku (Sudan, with concurrent accreditation to Eritrea), Ahmed Olatunji Sulu-Gambari (Malaysia), Geoffrey Ijeoma David Chima (Mali), Philip Ikurusi (Zimbabwe), Raymond Abassi (Hungary, with concurrent accreditation to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Slovenia and Serbia), and Saidu Dahiru Mohamed (India, with concurrent accreditation to Sri Lanka, Nepal and Bangladesh).
Addressing the diplomats, Enikanolaiye urged them to advance Nigeria's strategic interests by attracting foreign direct investment, expanding trade and economic cooperation, strengthening national security, protecting Nigerians abroad and promoting citizen-centred diplomacy.
He said President Bola Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda places foreign policy at the centre of national development and stressed that each head of mission would receive a customised Station Charter outlining specific objectives.
According to the minister, the envoys will be assessed annually based on measurable performance indicators, including policy recommendations, analytical reporting and delivery on presidential mandates.
Enikanolaiye also highlighted the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' reform agenda, built around the four pillars of Demography, Development, Democracy and the Diaspora. He said the ministry would continue to prioritise accountability, responsiveness, teamwork and closer coordination between headquarters and Nigeria's missions abroad.
Speaking on behalf of the ambassador-designates, Vice Admiral Ibas expressed appreciation to the ministry for its induction programme and pledged that the envoys would implement Nigeria's foreign policy objectives with professionalism and integrity.
He also assured the government of their commitment to advancing Nigeria's national interests while maintaining close collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs throughout their assignments.
