Nigeria’s newly appointed ambassador to the United States, Kayode Are, has officially resumed diplomatic duties after presenting his Letter of Credence to U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House.
The ceremony took place on Thursday, May 21, and marked the formal recognition of Are as Nigeria’s representative in Washington.
The event featured a ceremonial honour guard involving members of the U.S. armed forces, officials of the State Department, and staff of the National Security Council.
Are was among 12 diplomats who presented their credentials to President Trump during the occasion.
Ambassadors from countries including South Africa, Chad, Chile, Yemen, Australia, and Kyrgyzstan also took part in the ceremony.
President Bola Tinubu approved Are’s appointment in January 2026 after the Nigerian Senate confirmed his nomination in December 2025.
The posting was part of a wider diplomatic reshuffle by the federal government aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s foreign relations and international engagements.
Born in 1955, Kayode Are is a retired Nigerian Army colonel, intelligence officer, and former Director General of the State Security Service (SSS), now known as the Department of State Services (DSS).
He is widely regarded as one of Nigeria’s most experienced security and intelligence administrators, having spent more than three decades in military intelligence and national security operations.
Are began his military career at the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) as a member of Regular Combatant Course 12.
He graduated among the top 10 cadets of his set and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Nigerian Army in December 1974.
Beyond his military accomplishments, Are also built an impressive academic record early in life.
In 1980, he obtained a First Class Honours degree in Psychology from the University of Ibadan, where he emerged as the institution’s best graduating student.
His outstanding academic performance earned him several honours, including the University Senate Prize, Faculty of Social Sciences Prize, and the Department of Psychology Prize.
He later advanced his education by earning a Master’s Degree in International Law and Diplomacy from the University of Lagos in 1987.
During his years in military service, Are worked extensively within the Directorate of Military Intelligence and eventually rose to the rank of colonel before his compulsory retirement from the Nigerian Army in 1993.
Following Nigeria’s return to democratic rule in 1999, Are was appointed Director General of the State Security Service by then-President Olusegun Obasanjo.
He assumed office in May 1999 and remained in the position until August 2007, making him the longest-serving Director General in the history of the agency.
During his tenure, he served under both former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Umaru Musa Yar’Adua.
Are also held the position of Deputy National Security Adviser to the Federal Republic of Nigeria, where he played a key role in intelligence coordination and national security management.
Over the course of his career, he became known for his deep expertise in military and civilian intelligence operations as well as his contributions to Nigeria’s internal security framework.
With his official assumption of office in Washington, diplomatic observers expect Are to play a major role in strengthening bilateral relations between Nigeria and the United States, particularly in areas of security cooperation, trade, and strategic partnerships.
