Nigeria’s Ambassador to the United States, retired Colonel Kayode Are, has formally assumed office after presenting his Letter of Credence to US President Donald Trump at the White House.
The credential presentation ceremony, which took place on Thursday in Washington, D.C., officially marked the commencement of Are’s diplomatic assignment as Nigeria’s top envoy to the United States.
President Bola Tinubu had appointed Are on January 22, 2026, as part of a broader diplomatic posting aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s foreign relations.
The event was attended by senior government officials from both Nigeria and the United States, underscoring the importance of bilateral ties between the two countries.
Diplomatic observers described the ceremony as another step towards deepening cooperation between Abuja and Washington in areas including trade, security and international relations.
Are also drew attention during the event for his appearance in traditional Nigerian attire, which attracted praise from attendees and online observers as a strong representation of Nigeria’s cultural heritage and identity.
Nigeria and the United States have maintained longstanding diplomatic relations, with both countries collaborating on issues ranging from security to economic development and regional stability.
