Okezie Ikpeazu, Nigeria’s first ambassador to Spain after more than three years

Eduardo González Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu appointed Okezie Ikpeazu as his country's ambassador to Spain last week, a post that had been vacant for more than three years following the death of its previous holder, Demola Seriki. Okezie Ikpeazu, born in October 1964 in southern Nigeria and a biochemist by training and profession, has pursued his political career as governor of his home state of Abia for two consecutive terms, from 2015 to 2023. His political activity began in 2002 with the People's Democratic Conservative Party (PPD). In 2006, he joined the progressive and anti-communist People's Alliance, until he returned to his first party in 2010, where he remains today. It so happens that the DPP is the main political rival of the All Progressives Congress, the party of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. For this reason, DPP leaders in Abia have praised the head of state for choosing a political rival to represent his country in a “strategic” country like Spain, which, in their view, demonstrates “statesmanship” and a leadership style that “prioritizes experience over partisan considerations.” The president’s special advisor on information and strategy has stated that the appointment of a “political” ambassador like Ikpeazu is part of “a broader diplomatic restructuring aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s foreign relations,” in this case with Spain, “a key partner in trade, investment, and cultural exchange,” as highlighted by the Nigerian press. Okezie Ikpeazu thus fills a post that had been vacant since December 2022, when its previous holder, former minister Demola Seriki, passed away at the age of 63, after a year and a half posted to Madrid. During this time, the highest representation of the Embassy had been held by the Minister Counselor and Chargé d'Affaires (a.i.), Binta A. Dala.

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