By Adedapo Adesanya

President Bola Tinubu has approved the postings of 65 ambassadors-designate and high commissioners to various countries and the United Nations, including the former head of the Department of State Services (DSS), Mr Lateef Kayode Are, who is to serve in the United States.

The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga, disclosed on Friday that 31 non-career and 34 career ambassadors have been assigned to their duty posts.

The Senate had confirmed all 65 nominees in December 2025 following screening by the Committee on Foreign Affairs.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been directed to immediately commence an induction programme for the envoys, who will assume duties after receiving agrément from their host countries.

Below is the full list of postings:

NON-CAREER AMBASSADORS

1. Senator Grace Bent — Togo (Lomé)

2. Senator Ita Enang — South Africa

3. Ikpeazu Victor — Spain

4. Nkechi Linda Ufochukwu — Israel (Tel Aviv)

5. Mahmud Yakubu — Qatar

6. Paul Oga Adikwu — Vatican City Holy See

7. Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas — Philippines

8. Reno Omokri — Mexico

9. Engr. Abasi Braimah — Hungary (Budapest)

10. Mrs Erelu Angela Adebayo — Portugal

11. Barr. Oluwayimika Ayotunwa — Japan (Tokyo)

12. Ifeanyi Lawrence Ugwuanyi — Greece (Athens)

13. Barr. Chioma Priscilla Ohakim — Poland (Warsaw)

14. Aminu Dalhatu — United Kingdom (High Commissioner)

15. Lt. Gen. Abdulrahman Bello Dambazau — China (Beijing)

16. Tasiu Musa Maigari — Gambia

17. Olufemi Pedro — Australia

18. Barr. Muhammed Ubandoma Aliyu — Argentina

19. Lateef Kayode Are — United States

20. Amb. Joseph Sola Iji — Russia

21. Senator Jimoh Ibrahim — United Nations (Permanent Representative)

22. Femi Fani-Kayode — Germany

23. Prof. Isaac Folorunso Adewole — Canada (Ottawa)

24. Fatima Florence Ajimobi — Austria

25. Mrs Lola Akande — Sweden

26. Ayodele Oke — France

27. Yakubu N. Gambo — Saudi Arabia

28. Senator Prof. Nora Ladi Daduut — South Korea (Seoul)

29. Barr. Joe-Kyari Okocha, SAN — Ireland (Dublin)

30. Dr Kulu Haruna Abubakar — Tunisia (Tunis)

31. Hon. Jerry Samuel Manwe — Trinidad and Tobago (Port of Spain)

CAREER AMBASSADORS

32. Ambassador Nwabiola Ezenwa Chukwumeka — Côte d’Ivoire

33. Besto Maimuna Ibrahim — Niger (Niamey)

34. Monica Okwuchukwu Enebechi — São Tomé and Príncipe

35. Ambassador Mohammed Mahmud Lele — Algeria (Algiers)

36. Endoni Syndoph Paebi — Burkina Faso (Ouagadougou)

37. Ahmed Mohammed Monguno — Egypt (Cairo)

38. Ambassador Jane Adams — Jamaica (Kingston)

39. Ambassador Clark-Omeru Alexandra — Zambia (Lusaka)

40. Chima Geoffrey Lioma David — Mali (Bamako)

41. Ambassador Odumah Yvonne Ehinosen — Equatorial Guinea (Malabo)

42. Ambassador Wasa Segun Ige — Lebanon (Beirut)

43. Ruben Abimbola Samuel — Italy (Rome)

44. Ambassador Onaga Ogechukwu Kingsley — Mozambique (Maputo)

45. Ambassador Magaji Umar — DR Congo (Kinshasa)

46. Ambassador Muhammad Saidu Dahiru — India (New Delhi)

47. Ambassador Abdussalam Habu Zayyad — Senegal (Dakar)

48. Ambassador Shehu Ilu Barde — Ghana (Accra)

49. Ambassador Aminu Nasir — Ethiopia

50. Abubakar Musa — Chad (N’Djamena)

51. Ambassador Haidara Mohammed Idris — Netherlands (The Hague)

52. Ambassador Bako Adamu Umar — Morocco (Rabat)

53. Ambassador Sulu Gambari Olatunji Ahmed — Malaysia

54. Ambassador Romata Mohammed Omobolanle — Tanzania

55. Ambassador Shaga John Shamah — Botswana

56. Hamza Mohammed Salau — Iran (Tehran)

57. Ambassador Ibrahim Danlami — Kenya

58. Ibrahim Adeola Mopelola — Benin (Cotonou)

59. Ambassador Ayeni Adebayo Emmanuel — Belgium (Brussels)

60. Ambassador Akande Wahab Adekola — Switzerland (Berne)

61. Ambassador Arewa Esther — Namibia (Windhoek)

62. Ambassador Gergadi Joseph John — Gabon (Libreville)

63. Ambassador Luther Ogbomode Ayo-Kalata — Sierra Leone

64. Danladi Yakubu Nyaku — Sudan (Khartoum)

65. Bello Dogon-Daji Haliru — Thailand (Bangkok)

Mr Onanuga noted that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has already received agrément from the United Kingdom for High Commissioner-designate Aminu Dalhatu, and from France for Ambassador Ayodele Oke.

Nominations of the remaining 62 envoys have been conveyed to their respective host countries pending agreement.

Across Africa and beyond, women continue to shape and elevate the stories that define our societies. In celebration of International Women’s Month, CANAL+ pays tribute to the storytellers, athletes, mothers, creators, leaders and icons whose voices inspire millions of households across the continent.

The African entertainment industry is driven by women, actresses, directors, screenwriters and producers who bring depth and authenticity to every production. From captivating telenovelas and popular comedies to powerful drama series, female talent remains at the heart of the stories most loved by viewers on CANAL+ Group of channels. In sport, women redefine competition and excellence – on the field, behind the mic or in leadership. From football to tennis and athletics, women in sport don’t just participate, they elevate the game and inspire the next generation.

CANAL+ and its subsidiary MultiChoice have chosen to celebrate them through a dedicated campaign: “We are… because she is.” A 90-second spot, produced in both French and English versions, will be broadcast on the Group’s channels and social media platforms in more than 35 countries across Africa.

Watch the promo below

Throughout International Women’s Month, DStv and GOtv will spotlight female‑led films, series, reality shows and global cultural moments that reflect the brilliance and complexity of modern womanhood.

By Adedapo Adesanya

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has directed electricity distribution companies (DisCos) to adopt a comprehensive Standard Operating Procedure to detect meter bypass, tampering and other electricity theft.

The directive was contained in Order No. NERC/2014/148, published on the commission’s website in Abuja on Thursday. It outlines investigative and enforcement procedures DisCos must follow when suspicious electricity consumption patterns or billing irregularities are detected.

According to the commission, distribution companies must interview witnesses, residents or local authorities and properly document all interviews conducted.

“DisCos shall interview witnesses, residents, or local authorities to gather information on unauthorised access or suspicious activities and document all interviews conducted,” the order stated.

NERC also directed companies to employ advanced technologies, including advanced metering infrastructure, data analytics and monitoring systems, to detect abnormal consumption patterns. The commission said distribution companies must ensure compliance with all legal and regulatory requirements during inspections and evidence gathering.

According to the regulator, the procedure aims to strengthen oversight in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry and protect infrastructure from losses caused by unauthorised network access.

“Distribution companies are required to first identify locations where electricity theft may be occurring by analysing consumption data, billing discrepancies and unusual indicators,” it said.

The order explained that flagged locations must undergo detailed reviews of electricity usage records to determine possible meter manipulation or illegal connections.

“The SOP also mandates surveillance and monitoring activities in suspected locations to gather additional evidence. “These may include field observations and tracking unusual activities that could indicate unlawful access to electricity infrastructure,” it said.

The directive also requires physical inspections of electricity meters in affected areas to detect tampering, illegal bypasses or unauthorised alterations. Where meters are suspected to be compromised, integrity tests must be conducted and documented through photographs and video recordings in the customer’s presence.