Kayode Are, the former head of Nigeria's Department of State Services, has taken up his post as ambassador to the United States. He presented his credentials to President Donald Trump at the White House on Thursday.
Are's appointment came after President Bola Tinubu nominated him to the Senate in November 2025. The Senate confirmed 64 ambassadorial nominees in December, split between career diplomats and non-career appointees.
Tinubu approved Are's deployment to Washington in January of this year. An indigene of Ogun State, Are was among three non-career nominees selected for diplomatic roles.
His diplomatic career now begins after years in the intelligence sector. Are previously ran the DSS from May 1999 until August 2007.
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo appointed him to lead the agency. He served throughout both of Obasanjo's presidential terms without interruption.
Are remains the longest-serving Director-General in DSS history. His eight-year tenure at the intelligence agency set a record unmatched by successors.
The ambassadorial nominations reflect Tinubu's push to strengthen Nigeria's diplomatic presence worldwide. Are joins other non-career diplomats Aminu Dalhatu from Jigawa and Ayodele Oke from Oyo State in their new roles.
His experience in national security positions him well for the diplomatic assignment. Washington will now benefit from his intelligence and administrative background.
