The Federal Government has announced the death of recently confirmed ambassador-designate to Algeria, Mohammed Mahmud Lele
The announcement was made by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a statement issued in Abuja today by the ministry’s spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa.
The statement said Lele died in the early hours of April 19, 2026, in Ankara, Türkiye, after a protracted illness; he was aged 50
“The late Ambassador Lele, until his death after a protracted illness, 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.
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“Ambassador Lele was known for his intellectual depth, strategic insight and commitment to the advancement of Nigeria’s foreign policy objectives,” the statement added, while describing his death “as a monumental loss not only to his immediate family but also to the entire Foreign Service community and the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
The Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Dunoma Umar Ahmed, received the remains of the late diplomat at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
According to Ahmed, Mohammed Mahmud Lele was a hardworking, humble and fine officer, who will be sorely missed by the ministry.”
The late diplomat had been buried in Kano in accordance with Islamic rites.
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