Nigeria’s Ambassador to the United States, Col. Kayode Are (Rtd), has formally presented his Letter of Credence to United States President Donald Trump at the White House, officially commencing his diplomatic assignment as Nigeria’s highest-ranking envoy in Washington.
The credentials presentation ceremony was held on Thursday, May 21, 2026, at the White House, with an honour guard mounted by the US armed forces alongside officers of the State Department and staff of the National Security Council in attendance. National Assembly
The ceremony also featured the credentials presentation of ambassadors from 11 other countries, including representatives of South Africa, Chad, Chile, Yemen, Australia, and Kyrgyzstan, with the event presided over by senior officials of the US government.
Ambassador Are’s appointment forms part of the ambassadorial nominations submitted to the Nigerian Senate by President Bola Tinubu in November 2025, with the Senate confirming 64 ambassadorial nominees in December 2025, comprising 34 career diplomats and 30 non-career appointees. Are was among the non-career nominees confirmed alongside Aminu Dalhatu from Jigawa State and Ayodele Oke from Oyo State.
A retired Colonel and former Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Are built a distinguished career spanning more than three decades in military intelligence and national security. He served as DG of the DSS from May 1999 to August 2007 — making him the longest-serving DG in the history of the agency — under the administrations of former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Umaru Musa Yar’Adua. He also served as Deputy National Security Adviser to the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The formal presentation marks the beginning of a new chapter in Nigeria-United States diplomatic relations, with Are expected to deepen bilateral ties, strengthen economic partnerships, and champion Nigeria’s strategic interests on the world stage.
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🇳🇬🇺🇸 Diplomatic Milestone! — Nigeria’s Ambassador Col. Kayode Are Presents Letter of Credence to Trump at the White House, Officially Begins US Mission!
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