Nigeria’s Ambassador to the United States, Kayode Are, has officially presented his Letter of Credence to US President Donald Trump at the White House.
The credential presentation ceremony was held on Thursday, May 21, and featured an honour guard mounted by members of the US Armed Forces, officials of the State Department, and staff of the National Security Council.
Are was among 12 ambassadors who formally presented their diplomatic credentials to the US president.
Other envoys at the ceremony represented countries including South Africa, Chad, Chile, Yemen, Australia, and Kyrgyzstan.
President Bola Tinubu approved Are’s appointment as Nigeria’s envoy to Washington in January 2026 after his nomination received Senate confirmation in December 2025.
A retired Nigerian Army colonel and intelligence officer, Are is widely regarded as one of Nigeria’s most experienced security operatives, with a career spanning more than three decades in military intelligence and national security administration.
Born in 1955, he began his military career at the Nigerian Defence Academy as a member of Regular Combatant Course 12.
He graduated among the top 10 cadets and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in December 1974.
Academically, the ambassador also recorded remarkable achievements.
In 1980, he earned a First Class Honours degree in Psychology from the University of Ibadan, where he emerged as the institution’s overall best graduating student.
He also won the University Senate Prize, Faculty of Social Sciences Prize, and 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 in 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 governance, former President Olusegun Obasanjo appointed him Director General of the State Security Service in May 1999.
He remained in office until August 2007, becoming the longest-serving head of the agency, now known as the Department of State Services.
During his tenure, he also served under the administration of late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua.
Are also held office as Deputy National Security Adviser, where he played a key role in intelligence coordination and national security management.
Widely respected within security and intelligence circles, the ambassador is recognised for his extensive experience in both military and civilian intelligence operations, with more than 33 years of combined service in Nigeria’s security architecture.
