–Insists he’s a national asset

By Henry Ojelu

The Good Governance Initiative, GGI, has declared former Director General of the National Intelligence Agency, NIA, Ambassador Ayodele Oke, a “proven national asset,” stressing that his full clearance by the courts and Nigeria’s security agencies confirms his integrity and long-standing value to the country.
In a statement, the organisation said Oke’s exoneration—following years of legal scrutiny—should end every controversy surrounding his tenure, noting that Nigeria stands to gain significantly from his redeployment as an ambassador-designate.
According to the group, Oke was “fully cleared by the competent court and all relevant security agencies after an exhaustive process that lasted six years.”
It further added that the termination of all proceedings against him in June 2023 by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, restored his reputation and validated his record of service.
GGI recalled that Oke, appointed NIA Director General in November 2013, served Nigeria at the highest levels of intelligence management, overseeing counter-terrorism coordination, foreign intelligence gathering and multiple covert operations until his suspension and eventual removal from office in 2017.
The organisation noted that although Oke was investigated over funds recovered at an apartment in Lagos, the location was later established to be an operational safe house, and no wrongdoing was traced to him after extensive inquiries.
“The court’s decision and the formal withdrawal of all charges by the EFCC conclusively cleared Ambassador Oke. This must be acknowledged as a triumph of due process,” the group stated.
The organisation said Oke’s earlier diplomatic career also reinforced his status as one of Nigeria’s most experienced foreign-service professionals.
It cited his tenure as Nigeria’s Ambassador to the Commonwealth Secretariat in London, where he represented the country in major multilateral engagements between 2005 and 2009, contributing to policy dialogues across the organisation’s 56 member states.
It added that before assuming leadership of the NIA, Oke served in several senior intelligence roles, including Director (Regions) at the agency’s headquarters, where he coordinated regional security operations across Africa and other strategic theatres.
According to GGI, Oke’s postings in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and various diplomatic missions, though less publicly documented, reflected decades of experience in international relations, national security and consular affairs.
It maintained that Oke’s reinstated reputation and his ambassadorial nomination demonstrate the Federal Government’s confidence in his competence and integrity.
“Nigeria requires seasoned professionals at this critical moment. Ambassador Oke’s clearance and redeployment speak to his unmatched value to the nation,” the statement added.
It further described him as a disciplined intelligence officer, a refined diplomat and “one of the country’s most knowledgeable hands in external security matters,” insisting that his expertise would strengthen Nigeria’s global engagements.
The group urged Nigerians to focus on Oke’s contributions rather than past controversies that have been resolved by the judicial syste
“Our country cannot afford to waste talent. Ambassador Oke has been tested, cleared and proven. He remains a national asset,” the statement read.