ARCAN to Honour 18 Nigerian Diplomats, African Leaders at 2025 Awards Ceremony

The Association of Retired Career Ambassadors of Nigeria has announced plans to host its 2025 awards ceremony to honour distinguished Nigerian diplomats and notable African leaders for their contributions to diplomacy and regional development.

According to a press release issued by ARCAN, the ceremony is scheduled to be held on Saturday, April 18, 2025, at 10:00 a.m., with registration beginning at 9:00 a.m. The event will take place simultaneously at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Nigeria in Abuja and the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs in Lagos.

The association disclosed that a total of 18 former Nigerian ambassadors will be honoured for their outstanding service to the country, with several of the awards to be presented posthumously in recognition of their enduring contributions to Nigeria’s foreign policy and diplomatic achievements.

In addition to celebrating Nigerian diplomats, ARCAN revealed that this year’s ceremony will carry special historical significance. Under a special awards category, three prominent African leaders will be recognised for their roles in the founding of the Economic Community of West African States, which recently marked over five decades of regional cooperation.

The honourees included: former Nigerian Head of State Yakubu Gowon, former Togolese President Gnassingbé Eyadéma, and renowned economist Adebayo Adedeji. Their recognition forms part of ARCAN’s commemoration of ECOWAS at 50, a milestone expected to conclude later in the year.

ARCAN noted that the awards, which were established six years ago, are aimed at celebrating the dedication, professionalism, and lifelong service of Nigerian diplomats who have contributed significantly to the nation’s global standing.

The statement was signed by ARCAN’s Publicity Secretary, Ambassador Martine Gereng-Sen.