Nigeria’s ambassador-designate to Algeria dies at 50

The Federal Government has announced the death of Mohammed Mahmud Lele, Nigeria’s ambassador-designate to Algeria, who died at the age of 50 after a protracted illness.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed his passing in a statement by spokesperson Kimiebi Ebienfa, disclosing that Lele died in the early hours of April 19, 2026, in Ankara.

Until his death, Lele served as Director in charge of the Middle East and Gulf Division in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He had recently been appointed by President Bola Tinubu as ambassador-designate to Algeria following his confirmation by the Senate.

Born in Gamawa, Bauchi State in 1976, Lele studied Economics at Bayero University, Kano, and served in Nigerian diplomatic missions in Berlin, Lomé, and Riyadh over the course of his career.

The ministry described him as a career diplomat known for his intellectual depth, strategic insight, and commitment to the advancement of Nigeria’s foreign policy objectives.

Permanent Secretary Dunoma Umar Ahmed, who received Lele’s remains at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, described the late diplomat as a hardworking, humble, and fine officer who would be sorely missed by the ministry.