Kayode Are, former Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), has formally begun his diplomatic assignment as Nigeria’s ambassador to the United States.

Are officially took up the role on Thursday after presenting his letter of credence to the US government and President Donald Trump at the White House. His appointment is part of the ambassadorial nominations forwarded to the senate by President Bola Tinubu in November 2025.

The president had submitted a list of 32 nominees for confirmation, followed shortly by another request seeking approval for three non-career ambassadors. Are, an indigene of Ogun state, was among the non-career nominees alongside Aminu Dalhatu from Jigawa and Ayodele Oke from Oyo State.

The senate later confirmed a total of 64 ambassadorial nominees in December 2025, made up of 34 career diplomats and 30 noncareer appointees. Tinubu subsequently approved Are’s deployment to Washington in January, designating him as Nigeria’s envoy to the United States.