Recently, Nigeria’s President Bola Ahmed Tinubu forwarded the names of three non-career ambassadors to the Senate for confirmation. One of the three ambassadorial nominees is retired Colonel Lateef Kayode Are, a former Director General of the State Security Service (SSS) also known as Department of State Security (DSS) from 1999 to 2007.
According to reliable sources, Retired Colonel Are nomination was influenced by his impressive track record while he held sway as SSS boss over a decade ago. As the Director of the SSS, a role he held with exceptional diligence, he was a stabilizing figure in managing Nigeria’s security concerns. He covered himself in glory. And that’s why he was given a higher national assignment after his retirement. Colonel(rtd) Are, served as National Security Adviser, (NSA) in 2010. He was an officer in the Directorate of Military Intelligence.
Renowned for his deep intellect, retired Colonel Are is a patriot who has dedicated a large part of his life to exemplary service to the Federal Republic of Nigeria. He has consistently distinguished himself as a shinning representative of Nigeria in public service. A man of many firsts, Retired Colonel Are boasts an impressive academic qualifications. He graduated with First Class Honours in Psychology from the University of Ibadan in 1980. After his expected confirmation by the Senate, Retired Colonel Are is expected to bring his wealth of experience to bear in his new role as Nigeria’s Ambassador to the United States.