Nigeria’s new ambassador to the United States, Kayode Are, has officially presented his Letter of Credence to Donald Trump during a ceremony held at the White House on Thursday, May 21.
The event featured an honour guard by members of the armed forces, alongside officials from the US State Department and staff of the National Security Council.
Are was among 12 ambassadors who formally presented their credentials to the US president during the diplomatic ceremony. Other ambassadors in attendance represented countries including South Africa, Chad, Chile, Yemen, Australia and Kyrgyzstan.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu approved Are’s diplomatic posting in January 2026 after his nomination was confirmed by the Nigerian Senate in December 2025.
Born in 1955, Kayode Are is a retired Nigerian Army colonel, intelligence officer and former Director General of the State Security Service, now known as the Department of State Services.
Widely regarded as one of Nigeria’s most experienced security experts, Are built a career spanning more than three decades in intelligence operations and national security administration.
He began his military career at the Nigerian Defence Academy as a member of Regular Combatant Course 12 and graduated among the top 10 cadets before being commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in December 1974.
Academically, Are also distinguished himself early. In 1980, he earned a First Class Honours degree in Psychology from the University of Ibadan, emerging as the institution’s best graduating student and winning several academic prizes, including the University Senate Prize and the Department of Psychology Prize.
He later obtained a Master’s Degree in International Law and Diplomacy from the University of Lagos in 1987.
During his military service, Are worked within the Directorate of Military Intelligence and rose to the rank of colonel before his compulsory retirement from the Nigerian Army in 1993.
Following Nigeria’s return to democratic rule, he was appointed Director General of the SSS in May 1999 and remained in office until August 2007, making him the longest-serving DG in the history of the agency.
During his tenure, he served under former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Umaru Musa Yar’Adua.
Are also served as Deputy National Security Adviser to Nigeria, playing a major role in intelligence coordination and national security management at the highest level of government.
What You Should Know
A Letter of Credence is an official diplomatic document presented by an ambassador to the head of state of a host country, formally recognising the ambassador as the official representative of their nation.
The ceremony marks the beginning of full diplomatic duties. Kayode Are’s appointment comes at a time when Nigeria and the United States continue to strengthen cooperation on security, trade, intelligence sharing and regional stability in West Africa.
His extensive background in intelligence and national security is expected to play a significant role in shaping diplomatic engagement between both countries, especially on counterterrorism, defence collaboration and strategic international relations.
