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Sad! Newly appointed ambassador, Lele dies after prolong illness

The Federal Government has announced that Nigeria’s ambassador-designate to Algeria, Mohammed Mahmud Lele, has died at the age of 50.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs shared the news in a statement released on Wednesday in Abuja by its spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa.

The ministry said Lele died in the early hours of April 19, 2026, in Ankara, Türkiye, after a long illness.

The ministry called the late diplomat a dedicated public servant.

It said, “The late Ambassador Lele, until his death after a protracted illness, was the Director in charge of the Middle East and Gulf Division in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.”

The statement also said he was recently appointed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as Ambassador-designate to Algeria after Senate confirmation.

Lele was born in Gamawa, Bauchi State, in 1976. He studied Economics at Bayero University Kano and served in Nigerian missions abroad in Berlin, Lomé, and Riyadh.

The ministry said, “Ambassador Lele was known for his intellectual depth, strategic insight and commitment to the advancement of Nigeria’s foreign policy objectives.”

The Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Dunoma Umar Ahmed, who received the remains at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, described him as “a hardworking, humble and fine officer, who will be sorely missed.”

Lele was buried on Wednesday in Kano in accordance with Islamic rites.

The ministry described his passing as “a monumental loss not only to his immediate family but also to the entire Foreign Service community and the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”