Abuja, NIGERIA — President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu as the new Minister of Foreign Affairs.
The appointment, announced on Wednesday, follows the resignation of Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, who stepped down on March 30 to focus on his 2027 governorship bid in Bauchi State.
Okay News reports that the move is part of a broader strategy to refine Nigeria’s global engagement and economic diplomacy.
Ambassador Bianca, who previously served as the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs since late 2025, brings a wealth of diplomatic experience to her new role, including her tenure as Nigeria’s Ambassador to Spain. In a parallel move, the President has nominated Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye as the new Minister of State for Foreign Affairs. Enikanolaiye, a career diplomat from Kogi State with over three decades of service, most recently served as the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Affairs and International Relations.
The elevation of Bianca is seen as a tactical push to maintain continuity within the ministry while bringing a fresh perspective to Nigeria’s strategic partnerships. President Tinubu urged the new appointees to focus on regional stability and the welfare of Nigerians abroad, particularly as the “Renewed Hope” agenda seeks to attract foreign direct investment amid the current global economic shifts. The nomination of Enikanolaiye is now subject to Senate confirmation, which is expected to proceed rapidly given his standing as a former Permanent Secretary.
