- President Bola Tinubu approved Are’s appointment in January 2026 after the Senate confirmed his nomination in December 2025
- Are was among 12 envoys who submitted their credentials to the US President during the even
- He served under the administrations of former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Umaru Musa Yar’Adua
Nigeria’s ambassador to the United States, Kayode Are, has formally presented his Letter of Credence to Donald Trump at the White House.
Eko Hot Blog reports that the ceremony featured ceremonial honours by members of the US armed forces, officials from the State Department, and personnel of the National Security Council.
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Are was among 12 envoys who submitted their credentials to the US President during the event. The group included ambassadors representing South Africa, Chad, Chile, Yemen, Australia and Kyrgyzstan.
President Bola Tinubu approved Are’s appointment in January 2026 after the Senate confirmed his nomination in December 2025.
Born in 1955, Are is a retired colonel of the Nigerian Army, intelligence operative and former Director-General of the State Security Service, now known as the Department of State Services.
He is regarded as one of Nigeria’s seasoned security professionals, with more than three decades of experience in military intelligence and national security administration.
Are 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, he recorded notable achievements early in his career. In 1980, he earned a First Class degree in Psychology from University of Ibadan, emerging as the institution’s overall best graduating student and receiving several academic honours, including the University Senate Prize and awards from the Faculty of Social Sciences and the Department of Psychology.
He later obtained a Master’s degree in International Law and Diplomacy from University of Lagos in 1987.
During his years in military service, Are worked within the Directorate of Military Intelligence and attained the rank of colonel before retiring from the Nigerian Army in 1993.
Following Nigeria’s transition to civilian rule, he was appointed Director-General of the State Security Service in May 1999. He remained in office until August 2007, making him the longest-serving head of the agency.
He served under the administrations of former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Umaru Musa Yar’Adua.
Are also held the position of Deputy National Security Adviser, where he played a key role in coordinating intelligence and security operations at the national level.
With more than 33 years of combined service in military and civilian intelligence, he is widely recognised for his contributions to Nigeria’s security and intelligence framework.
