Tinubu appoints Bianca Ojukwu Foreign Minister, nominates Enikanolaiye as Minister of State

President Bola Tinubu has appointed Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu as Minister of Foreign Affairs following the resignation of Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar.

Tuggar stepped down to participate in the 2027 elections, a statement from the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said on Tuesday.

Odumegwu-Ojukwu previously served as Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

In the same announcement, the President nominated Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye as Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, subject to Senate confirmation.

Until his nomination, Enikanolaiye, from Kogi State, was Senior Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Affairs and International Relations.

The statement described him as “a distinguished diplomat and seasoned public servant with over three decades of exemplary service” in Nigeria’s foreign service. He served as Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and held postings in Addis Ababa, Belgrade, Ottawa, London and New Delhi.

President Tinubu said the appointments are part of efforts to reposition Nigeria’s foreign policy architecture for greater efficiency, strategic engagement, and stronger global partnerships.

The President congratulated the appointees and urged them to “work diligently to promote Nigeria’s national interest, advance economic diplomacy, foster regional stability, and safeguard the welfare of Nigerians at home and abroad.”