Nigeria’s Ambassador to the United States, Kayode Are, has formally presented his Letter of Credence to US President Donald Trump, officially resuming duties as Nigeria’s envoy in Washington.
Gatekeepers News reports that the ceremony took place at the White House on Thursday, May 21, with a guard of honour mounted by members of the US Armed Forces, alongside officials of the State Department and staff of the National Security Council. Are was among 12 ambassadors received by Trump during the diplomatic event.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had approved Are’s deployment in January 2026 after the Senate confirmed his nomination in December 2025 as part of a wider ambassadorial appointment exercise.
Are, a retired Nigerian Army colonel and former director-general of the Department of State Services (DSS), is regarded as one of Nigeria’s most experienced intelligence operatives.
He served in military intelligence before becoming the longest-serving DG of the DSS between 1999 and 2007 under former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Umaru Musa Yar’Adua.
Born in 1955, Are studied Psychology at the University of Ibadan, where he graduated with First Class Honours and won several academic prizes. He later earned a master’s degree in International Law and Diplomacy from the University of Lagos in 1987.
