The Federal Government has announced the death of Nigeria’s ambassador-designate to Algeria, Mohammed Mahmud Lele, who died at the age of 50.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs disclosed in a statement by its spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa, that Lele passed away in the early hours of April 19, 2026, in Ankara after a prolonged illness.
Described as a dedicated career diplomat, Lele was until his death Director of the Middle East and Gulf Division at the ministry. He had recently been appointed ambassador-designate to Algeria by Bola Ahmed Tinubu, following Senate confirmation.
Born in Gamawa in 1976, he studied Economics at Bayero University Kano and served in Nigerian missions in Berlin, Lomé and Riyadh.
The Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Dunoma Umar Ahmed, described him as a hardworking and humble officer whose contributions to Nigeria’s foreign policy would be greatly missed.
Lele was buried in Kano on Wednesday in accordance with Islamic rites, as the government extended condolences to his family and the people of Bauchi State.
