Tinubu elevates Odumegwu-Ojukwu, appoints Enikanolaiye new minister

President Bola Tinubu has appointed Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu as Minister of Foreign Affairs, elevating her from the minister of state position she had occupied in the same ministry.

The elevation follows the resignation of Amb Yusuf Tuggar to pursue his governorship ambition for the 2027 elections.

This is according to a statement signed on Wednesday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.

Onanuga also announced the nomination of Sola Enikanolaiye, from Kogi State, as the new Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, subject to Senate confirmation.

Until his nomination, Enikanolaiye served as Senior Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Affairs and International Relations.

Odumegwu-Ojukwu, the widow of late Biafran warlord and statesman Emeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu, served as Nigeria’s Ambassador to Spain and later to Italy before her initial appointment as Minister of State for Foreign Affairs under Tinubu in 2023.

Tuggar, who had served as Foreign Affairs minister since August 2023, resigned to pursue the Bauchi State governorship seat ahead of the 2027 election.

The Presidency had, in March, issued a circular through the Secretary to the Government of the Federation requiring ministers with political ambitions to resign before March 31.

Enikanolaiye brings over three decades of diplomatic experience to his new role.

He has served as Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and held key postings in Addis Ababa, Belgrade, Ottawa, London and New Delhi.

Tinubu said the appointments were part of ongoing efforts to reposition Nigeria’s foreign policy architecture for greater efficiency, strategic engagement and stronger global partnerships, and urged both appointees to promote Nigeria’s national interest, advance economic diplomacy, foster regional stability and safeguard the welfare of Nigerians at home and abroad.