Retired Colonel Kayode Are, former Director-General of the Department of State Services, has formally assumed duty as Nigeria’s Ambassador to the United States.

Are presented his Letter of Credence to President Donald Trump at the White House on Thursday, May 21, 2026, officially starting his diplomatic assignment. He was among 12 ambassadors who presented credentials that day, with the ceremony featuring a U.S. armed forces honour guard and officials from the State Department and National Security Council.

President Bola Tinubu nominated Are in November 2025 as part of a list of 32 ambassadorial nominees sent to the Senate, plus three additional non-career nominees. Are, from Ogun State, was a non-career nominee alongside Aminu Dalhatu of Jigawa and Ayodele Oke of Oyo. The Senate confirmed 64 ambassadors in December 2025, including 34 career and 30 non-career appointees. Tinubu approved Are’s posting to Washington in January 2026.

Born in 1955, Are is a graduate of the Nigerian Defence Academy, Regular Combatant Course 12, and was commissioned Second Lieutenant in December 1974. He rose through military intelligence and later served as DSS DG and National Security Adviser.

Reno Omokri, Ambassador-Designate to Mexico, confirmed the presentation and noted that Are wore an Aṣọ òkè ensemble to the ceremony.