• President Bola Tinubu has appointed Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu as Nigeria’s new Minister of Foreign Affairs
• Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu replaces Yusuf Tuggar, who resigned to prepare for the 2027 elections
• The Presidency says her appointment is part of efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s foreign policy direction

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu as Nigeria’s new Minister of Foreign Affairs, elevating her to the top diplomatic role following the resignation of Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar.

The appointment was announced in a statement issued on Wednesday, April 29, by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga. Tuggar stepped down from office to focus on preparations for the 2027 elections.

Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu’s appointment marks her return to a more senior position within Nigeria’s foreign affairs structure, having previously served as Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Her elevation now places her at the centre of Nigeria’s diplomatic engagements, where she is expected to lead foreign policy direction, deepen bilateral and multilateral ties, and strengthen the country’s economic diplomacy agenda.

“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu as Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, following the resignation of Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, who stepped down to participate in the 2027 elections.

“Ambassador Odumegwu-Ojukwu previously served as Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.”

According to the Presidency, the appointment is part of wider efforts to reposition Nigeria’s foreign policy framework for greater efficiency, stronger strategic engagement, and deeper global partnerships.

The administration said the new minister is expected to promote Nigeria’s national interest, expand economic diplomacy, and prioritise the welfare of Nigerians abroad.

In the same announcement, President Tinubu nominated Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye as Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, subject to Senate confirmation.

Enikanolaiye, who hails from Kogi State, previously served as Senior Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Affairs and International Relations.

A career diplomat, he brings more than three decades of experience in Nigeria’s foreign service and has held strategic diplomatic postings in Addis Ababa, Belgrade, Ottawa, London and New Delhi.

The Presidency said both appointments reflect ongoing efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s foreign policy architecture and improve the country’s diplomatic influence globally.

Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu is a lawyer, diplomat and former beauty queen with decades of experience in public service and international diplomacy.

Born on August 5, 1967, in Anambra State, she studied Law at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1992 after attending the Nigerian Law School in Lagos.

Her academic profile also includes a Master’s degree in International Relations and Diplomacy from Universidad Alfonso X El Sabio in Spain, alongside postgraduate diplomas in Human Rights and International Relations from the Berg Institute in Madrid, and in Dynamics of Conflict and Cooperation from the University for Peace in Costa Rica.

Odumegwu-Ojukwu previously served as Senior Special Assistant to former President Goodluck Jonathan on Diaspora Matters. She later served as Nigeria’s Ambassador to Spain from 2012 to 2015, where she also represented the country at the United Nations World Tourism Organization. She had earlier served as Nigeria’s Ambassador to Ghana.

She was appointed Minister of State for Foreign Affairs in October 2024 under President Tinubu, supporting Nigeria’s diplomacy, consular affairs and international relations strategy.

Her latest appointment now places her in charge of Nigeria’s foreign policy and diplomatic engagement on the global stage.

Tinubu names new PTDF boss, extends TCN MD’s tenure

Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had approved the appointment of Professor Shu’aib Aliyu as the new Executive Secretary of the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF).

Aliyu takes over from Ahmed Aminu, who stepped down from the role to pursue his 2027 governorship ambition in Adamawa State.

The President also renewed the tenure of Sule Abdulaziz as the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) for a second and final term.