Tinubu appoints Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu as Foreign Minister, nominates Sola Enikanolaiye as Minister of State

President Tinubu appointed Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu as Nigeria's Minister of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday, replacing Yusuf Tuggar who resigned to contest the 2027 elections. Simultaneously, he nominated Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye as Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, subject to Senate confirmation. The announcements came via presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga.

Odumegwu-Ojukwu previously served as Minister of State in the Foreign Affairs Ministry. Enikanolaiye, from Kogi State, was Senior Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Affairs before this nomination. A career diplomat with over 30 years' service, he has held postings as Permanent Secretary and in Addis Ababa, Belgrade, Ottawa, London, and New Delhi.

According to Onanuga, Tinubu stated the appointments aim to reposition Nigeria's foreign policy architecture for greater efficiency, strategic engagement, and stronger global partnerships. He urged the appointees to promote national interests, advance economic diplomacy, foster regional stability, and safeguard Nigerians' welfare at home and abroad.

With Tuggar's departure creating urgency ahead of electoral politics, will these diplomatic veterans successfully steer Nigeria's foreign policy toward the stated goals of efficiency and strategic global engagement?

SOURCE: https://www.channelstv.com/2026/04/29/tinubu-appoints-bianca-ojukwu-as-foreign-affairs-minister/