Tinubu Appoints Olufemi Pedro as Ambassador to Australia

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed Otunba Olufemi Pedro as Nigeria's Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Australia and Oceanic States. This appointment is part of a broader strategy to pivot Nigeria's foreign policy towards economic diplomacy, as indicated in a statement by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President.

The Senate is expected to confirm the ambassadorial appointments by December 2025, with a list of 65 names already released. Pedro, a founding member of GTBank and former Deputy Governor of Lagos State, will lead Nigeria's diplomatic mission, which includes eight nations such as New Zealand, Fiji, and Papua New Guinea.

His extensive background in banking and experience in launching Nigeria's first internet banking platform in 1999 are expected to enhance trade relations, which currently stand at a modest $150 million with Australia. Analysts are keen to see if Pedro can replicate the success he achieved in Lagos State, where he contributed to a 2,000% revenue growth.