President Bola Tinubu has appointed Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu as substantive Minister of Foreign Affairs, following a tactical reshuffle of the federal cabinet.
The appointment, announced Wednesday by the presidency, sees the former Minister of State for Foreign Affairs take full charge of the ministry. She succeeds Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, who reportedly resigned to focus on his 2027 political ambitions in Bauchi State.
”The President has noted that these appointments are part of ongoing efforts to reposition Nigeria’s foreign policy architecture for greater efficiency,” presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga said in a statement. “The goal is to ensure strategic engagement and stronger global partnerships under the Renewed Hope agenda.”
Ambassador Odumegwu-Ojukwu, a seasoned diplomat and former envoy to Spain and Ghana, is expected to bring her extensive experience in international relations to the forefront of Nigeria’s diplomatic mission. Her elevation comes at a time when the administration is seeking to ramp up economic diplomacy and improve the welfare of Nigerians in the diaspora.
In a corresponding move, President Tinubu nominated Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye as the new Minister of State for Foreign Affairs. Enikanolaiye, a career diplomat with over three decades of service, previously served as a Senior Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Affairs.
”President Tinubu congratulates the appointees and urges them to work diligently to promote Nigeria’s national interest and foster regional stability,” Onanuga added.
The reshuffle also affected other key portfolios, with the president charging the new team to provide “optimal efficiency” in delivering on administration promises. The nomination of Enikanolaiye is subject to confirmation by the Senate, while Odumegwu-Ojukwu is expected to assume her expanded responsibilities immediately.
The promotion of the widow of late Biafran leader Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu has been viewed by political analysts as a strategic move to maintain a balanced and inclusive cabinet while tapping into proven diplomatic expertise.
