WASHINGTON, D.C. — Nigeria’s diplomatic representation in the United States has officially returned to full capacity as the newly appointed Ambassador to the US, Colonel Kayode Are (Rtd), presented his Letters of Credence to American President Donald Trump at the White House.
The formal ceremony, which took place in the Oval Office on Thursday, May 21, marks the official commencement of Ambassador Are’s diplomatic assignment in Washington, filling a prolonged vacancy at one of Nigeria’s most critical foreign missions.
The event featured a full military guard of honour mounted by the United States Armed Forces, alongside senior officials of the U.S. State Department and staff of the National Security Council. Ambassador Are presented his credentials alongside newly deployed envoys from 11 other countries, including Australia, South Africa, Chile, Chad, Yemen, and Kyrgyzstan.
A Strategic Move for Bilateral Ties
Ambassador Are’s deployment to Washington was approved by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in January 2026, following his confirmation by the Nigerian Senate in December 2025 as part of a 64-member ambassadorial list.
Civil society groups and international observers have lauded the strategic placement of a seasoned intelligence expert at the helm of Nigeria’s mission in Washington. In a statement issued on Sunday, the Civil Society Organisations on Community Advancement and Humanitarian Empowerment Initiative (CSCHEI) noted that the development signals a renewed push for development-driven diplomacy.
”Appointing a diplomat with extensive experience in security, intelligence, and international relations is a strategic step toward deepening cooperation between Nigeria and the United States across key sectors like security, trade, and education.”
— Hon. Kunle Yusuff, Director-General, CSCHEI
Similarly, the Washington-based civic group, the Nigerian Center, welcomed the development, noting that Are’s arrival marks Nigeria’s return to senior diplomatic engagement in the US at a pivotal time for trade, investment, and diaspora engagement.
Profile of an Intelligence Veteran
Ambassador Lateef Kayode Are brings over 33 years of combined military and civilian intelligence experience to his new diplomatic role:
1.Military Career: Born in 1955, Are graduated among the top 10 cadets of the Regular Combatant Course 12 at the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA). He was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in 1974 and rose to the rank of Colonel in the Directorate of Military Intelligence (DMI) before retiring in 1993.
2.Academic Excellence: He holds a First Class Honours degree in Psychology from the University of Ibadan (1980), where he was the best graduating student, and a Master’s degree in International Law and Diplomacy from the University of Lagos (1987).
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3.Public Service: Following Nigeria’s transition to democracy, Are was appointed Director-General of the State Security Service (SSS, now DSS) in May 1999. Serving until August 2007 under Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, he remains the longest-serving DG in the agency’s history. He also previously served as Deputy National Security Adviser.
With his credentials now accepted by President Trump, Ambassador Are is expected to immediately prioritize strengthening security partnerships, fostering bilateral investments, and enhancing consular services for the Nigerian diaspora in the United States.
