By By Promise Eze
Ambassador Victor Adekunle Adeleke, the New State Chief of Protocol (SCOP) to President Bola Tinubu, is a distinguished Nigerian diplomat who has made significant contributions to the field of foreign affairs and diplomacy. Born in 1967 in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria, he embarked on an impressive journey that has taken him to various positions of responsibility and international engagements.
1. Education and Professional Background:
Ambassador Adeleke obtained his Bachelor of Laws degree (with Honours) from the prestigious Obafemi Awolowo University in June 1990. He further pursued his professional training at the Nigerian Law School in Victoria Island, Lagos, where he qualified as a Barrister and Advocate of the Supreme Court of Nigeria in 1991. This marked the beginning of his career in the Foreign Service, as he joined in 1993.
2. Diplomatic Experience:
Throughout his career, Ambassador Adeleke has served in diverse capacities both at home and abroad. He gained valuable experience through his roles in the Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Office of the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, and the Office of the Permanent Secretary (MFA). Within the Ministry, he contributed to various departments, including Administration, Legal & Treaties Division, Physical Planning Division, Global Institutions Division, Overseas Communications & ICT Division, and Protocol Department, where he held the position of Deputy Chief of Protocol and Acting Chief of Protocol.
Ambassador Adeleke’s diplomatic service also extended to the State House Protocol, Aso Rock Presidential Villa, Abuja, where he served as an Assistant Director of Protocol to three former Nigerian Presidents: President Olusegun Obasanjo (2007), President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua (2007-2010), and President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan (2010). His experiences provided him with a deep understanding of protocol, top-level management, and policy-making committees.
3.International Engagements:
Throughout his career, Ambassador Adeleke represented Nigeria in various diplomatic missions around the world. He served in significant roles in Beijing (China), Brasilia (Brazil), Warsaw (Poland), London (United Kingdom), and Dublin (Ireland), where he held the position of Deputy Head of Mission. He was actively involved in diplomatic endeavors such as the legal review of the Constitutive Act of the African Union in 2002 and represented Nigeria in multiple summits and international conferences organized by ECOWAS, the African Union, the Commonwealth, the Community of Democracies, the Group of Seven (G7), and the United Nations.
4. Contributions and Areas of Expertise:
Ambassador Adeleke has been instrumental in shaping Nigeria’s foreign policy and diplomatic practices. With his legal background, he has focused on institutional development, particularly in the areas of democracy, security, peacekeeping, and the transformation of the Organization of African Unity into the African Union. His expertise extends to diplomatic protocols, communications, and international relations.
5. Memberships and Personal Life:
Ambassador Victor Adekunle Adeleke is an active member of the Nigerian Bar Association and the Association of Foreign Relations Professionals of Nigeria. Beyond his diplomatic endeavors, he enjoys playing chess, lawn tennis, and golf. He is happily married to Mrs. Elizabeth Tolulope Adeleke, and they are blessed with three children and two grandchildren.
