Kayode Are Joins ECD's Ambassadors Advisory Board

The Executive Council on Diplomacy (ECD) announced that Kayode Are, Nigeria’s Ambassador to the United States, has joined its Ambassadors Advisory Board. Are, a retired Nigerian Army Colonel, served as Director General of the Nigerian Department of State Services (DSS) from 1999 to 2007 and briefly held the position of National Security Adviser in 2010.

He was appointed as Nigeria’s ambassador to the United States by President Bola Tinubu in January 2026 and officially began his duties in Washington, D.C., in May 2026 after presenting his letter of credence to United States President Donald Trump at the White House. The ECD welcomed Are as its newest member, with the Ambassadors Advisory Board co-chaired by Dr. Elsie S.

Kanza of the Embassy of the United Republic of Tanzania and Iztok Mirošič of the Embassy of the Republic of Slovenia. Established in 1962, the ECD is a non-profit organization aimed at enhancing diplomats' understanding of American dynamics through networking and discussions.