Ambassador Amin Dalhatu named as the new Nigerian high commissioner to the UK

FORMER Nigerian ambassador to South Korea Amin Mohammed Dalhatu has been named as the new high commissioner to the UK with immediate effect and is expected to resume duty over the coming weeks.

Named as part of the quartet by the presidency, which also appointed ambassadors to the US, France and Turkey, in Lateef Are, Ayodele Oke and Usman Dakingari respectively, the new envoy is a seasoned diplomat with extensive experience in international relations and bilateral diplomacy. He previously served as ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary to the Republic of Korea from 2017 to 2023.

Yesterday, President Bola Tinubu has approved the posting of four ambassadors-designate, out of the 68 confirmed by the Senate last December. In a memo to the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, President Tinubu urged the ministry to notify the governments of the three countries about the ambassadors-designate in accordance with diplomatic procedures.

Diaspora body, the Central Association of Nigerians in the UK (Canuk) has welcomed the appointment, saying it underscores the confidence reposed in Ambassador Dalhatu's wealth of experience, professionalism and longstanding service within Nigeria’s diplomatic corps. Canuk said it joins Nigerians across the United Kingdom and the wider diaspora in celebrating this well-deserved appointment.

Rose Graham, Canuk's publicity secretary, added: "As the umbrella body representing Nigerians in the UK, Canuk looks forward to a productive and collaborative relationship with Ambassador Dalhatu. We are confident that his leadership will further strengthen diplomatic relations between Nigeria and the United Kingdom, while also advancing the interests, welfare and positive representation of Nigerians living in the UK.

"Canuk reaffirms its readiness to work closely with the high commission under Ambassador Dalhatu's stewardship in fostering unity, engagement and constructive dialogue between the Nigerian government and the diaspora community. Once he assumes office, the Canuk executive committee will be paying him a courtesy call."

Presidency spokesman Bayo Onanuga, said:  “President Tinubu confirmed the postings of Ambassador Ayodele Oke as the ambassador-designate to France and Colonel Lateef Are as the ambassador-designate to the United States of America. Also confirmed by the president is the posting of Ambassador Amin Dalhatu, former ambassador to South Korea, as the high commissioner-designate to the United Kingdom and Usman Isa Dakingari Suleiman, the former governor of Kebbi, is the ambassador-designate to Turkey, where the president is scheduled to begin a state visit next week."

Ambassador Dalhatu, who hails from Jigawa State, has contributed significantly to the formulation and implementation of Nigeria’s foreign policy objectives. he will be taking over in London from the current acting high commissioner Ambassador Mohammed Maidugu, a career diplomat who has been manning the fort since the recall of the previous substantive high commissioner Ambassador Sarafa Ishola.