The Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs has appointed veteran journalist and diplomatic correspondent Raphael Oni as Special Assistant on Digital and Public Diplomacy.
Oni’s appointment was approved by the Honourable Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, as part of a new media team established to strengthen the Ministry’s communication strategy and advance the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Federal Government.
Also appointed is Mr Richard Elesho, who will serve as Special Assistant on Media and Strategic Communications.
The two appointees are expected to support the Ministry’s public engagement efforts, improve the visibility of its diplomatic initiatives, and deepen communication with local and international stakeholders.
Oni brings more than 15 years of experience in government communication, public diplomacy, international relations, and diplomatic reporting.
He is an award-winning photojournalist and diplomatic correspondent, as well as the publisher of Diplomats Extra Magazine, a prominent publication on diplomacy and international affairs that he has led since 2013.
He holds a Master’s Degree in International Relations and Diplomacy from the University of Abuja.
He has also served two terms as Secretary General of the Diplomatic Correspondents Association of Nigeria and previously served as Secretary General of the Nigeria Union of Journalists Correspondents Chapel, Abuja.
Elesho, a graduate of Delta State University, Abraka, and Kogi State University, Anyigba, brings extensive experience in journalism, government communication, and media management.
He previously served as Chief Press Secretary and Director General of Media Affairs to former Kogi State Governors Ibrahim Idris and Idris Wada. Until his appointment, he was the North Central Bureau Chief of The News/PM News.
In a statement signed by the Ministry’s spokesperson, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, the Ministry called for the support and cooperation of stakeholders as the new appointees assume their responsibilities.
The appointments are expected to reinforce the Ministry’s media operations and foster a more coordinated, responsive, and digitally driven approach to public diplomacy.
