President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu as Nigeria’s new Minister of Foreign Affairs following the resignation of Yusuf Tuggar, who stepped down to pursue political ambitions ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu, who previously served as Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, is expected to assume full leadership of the ministry as part of the administration’s broader effort to strengthen Nigeria’s diplomatic engagement and global positioning.
In a related development, President Tinubu has nominated Sola Enikanolaiye as Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, subject to confirmation by the National Assembly. Until his nomination, Enikanolaiye served as Senior Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Affairs and International Relations.
A seasoned diplomat with over 30 years of experience, Enikanolaiye has held several strategic roles within Nigeria’s foreign service, including serving as Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. His diplomatic career spans multiple international postings in cities such as Addis Ababa, Belgrade, Ottawa, London, and New Delhi.
According to the presidency, the appointments form part of ongoing reforms aimed at repositioning Nigeria’s foreign policy framework for improved efficiency, enhanced strategic partnerships, and stronger international influence.
President Tinubu congratulated the appointees and charged them to advance Nigeria’s national interests, deepen economic diplomacy, promote regional stability, and protect the welfare of Nigerians both at home and abroad.
The announcement was made in a statement signed by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, on April 29, 2026.
