The Federal Government has announced that Nigeria’s ambassador-designate to Algeria, Mohammed Mahmud Lele, has died. He was 50 years old.
In a statement on Wednesday in Abuja, the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Kimiebi Ebienfa. said that Lele died in the early hours of 19 April, 2026, in Ankara, Türkiye, after a protracted illness.
The ministry described the late diplomat as a dedicated officer who served the country with distinction.
According to the statement, until his death after a protracted illness, Lele was ‘the Director in charge of the Middle East and Gulf Division in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
‘Ambassador Lele, a career diplomat, was recently appointed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as Ambassador-designate to the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria, following the Nigerian Senate’s confirmation of his nomination’, the statement said.
Born in Gamawa, Bauchi State, in 1976, Lele studied Economics at Bayero University, Kano, and went on to serve in Nigerian missions in Berlin, Lomé and Riyadh.
‘Ambassador Lele was known for his intellectual depth, strategic insight and commitment to the advancement of Nigeria’s foreign policy objectives’, the statement added.
The Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Dunoma Umar Ahmed, who received the remains of the diplomat at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, described him as ‘a hardworking, humble and fine officer, who will be sorely missed by the Ministry’.
The Ministry added that his death ‘is a monumental loss not only to his immediate family but also to the entire Foreign Service community and the Federal Republic of Nigeria’.
Lele was buried on Wednesday in Kano in accordance with Islamic rites.
The Ministry extended condolences to his family, associates, and the government and people of Bauchi State, praying for the peaceful repose of his soul and strength for those he left behind.
