The Federal Government has confirmed the passing of Mohammed Mahmud Lele, Nigeria’s ambassador-designate to Algeria, who died at the age of 50.
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The Ministry of Foreign Affairs broke the news on Wednesday through a statement released in Abuja by its spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa. The ministry disclosed that Lele passed away in the early hours of April 19, 2026, in Ankara, Türkiye, after battling a prolonged illness.
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Tributes from the ministry painted a picture of a committed career diplomat who brought dedication and professionalism to his service. Prior to his appointment as ambassador-designate, Lele had been serving as Director of the Middle East and Gulf Division within the ministry. He was nominated by President Bola Tinubu and had received Senate confirmation for the Algeria posting.
A native of Gamawa in Bauchi State, Lele was born in 1976 and obtained a degree in Economics from Bayero University Kano. Over the course of his diplomatic career, he was posted to Nigerian missions in Berlin, Lomé, and Riyadh.
The ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Dunoma Umar Ahmed, received his remains upon arrival at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, describing the late diplomat as a diligent and unassuming officer whose impact on the service would endure.
Lele was laid to rest in Kano on Wednesday, with burial conducted according to Islamic tradition. The ministry conveyed its sympathies to his family, colleagues, and the government and people of Bauchi State, mourning his death as a considerable blow to Nigeria’s diplomatic corps.
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