President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Thursday officially approved the posting of Colonel Lateef Kayode Are (Rtd) as Nigeria’s Ambassador-designate to the United States.
The announcement, made by Presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga, marks the end of a two-year period where Nigeria’s mission in Washington D.C. was led by chargés d’affaires.
Many citizens find the designation of Are intriguing because of the tense relationship between Nigeria and the U.S.
The frosty relationship has led to several visa sanctions, including placing Nigeria on a partial travel restriction list.
Here are things to know about Lateef Are, the man set to represent Nigeria in the United States:
A Veteran Intelligence Officer
Lateef Are is widely regarded as one of Nigeria’s most experienced intelligence minds. He spent decades in the Nigerian Army Intelligence Corps (NAIC), where he developed a reputation for meticulous analysis and strategic planning.
Former Director-General of the DSS
Perhaps his most prominent role to date was serving as the Director-General of the State Security Service (SSS), now commonly known as the DSS. He held this position for eight years (1999–2007) under President Olusegun Obasanjo, overseeing the country’s internal security during its transition to democracy.
First-Class Academic Background
He is not just a military man; he is a scholar. He graduated with a First Class Honours degree in Psychology from the University of Ibadan in 1980. During his time there, he swept nearly every available award, including the University Senate Prize for the best graduating student.
Advanced Diplomatic Training
To complement his security background, Are holds a Master’s degree in International Law and Diplomacy from the University of Lagos (1987). This academic foundation is expected to serve him well in the complex corridors of D.C. politics.
A Product of the Elite NDA Regular Course 12
He was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in 1974 after graduating from the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA). He was a member of the prestigious Regular Course 12, a cohort that produced several of Nigeria’s top military brass, including former National Security Adviser Sambo Dasuki.
Briefly Served as National Security Adviser
In 2010, during the presidency of Goodluck Jonathan, Are was appointed as the National Security Adviser (NSA) in an acting capacity. Though his tenure was brief, it underscored his status as a “go-to” expert for national stability.
Hails from Ogun State
Born in the south-western part of Nigeria, Lateef Are is a native of Ogun State. His appointment follows the “Federal Character” principle, ensuring diverse regional representation in Nigeria’s top diplomatic slots.
Later controversy
After leaving office, he again came into the public spotlight in 2015 following a dispute with the State Security Service over his Ikoyi residence, which had been allocated to him as a post-service benefit.
The SSS later asked him to vacate the property, a move that Are challenged in court. At the time, Are told the press that the operatives pulled down doors, chased his family away, and threw out their belongings despite the court order. A Federal High Court subsequently ordered the SSS to reinstate Are and his family to the residence pending the determination of the suit.
