By Samson Ezea

Recently, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu announced the appointment of Nigerian ambassador-designates to various countries for international diplomatic assignments and representation of the Nigerian government.     

Among the prominent personalities and non-career diplomats appointed is retired General Abdulrahman Bello Dambazau, who has been named Nigeria’s Ambassador to China.

With a distinguished professional career and an enviable record of excellence in the Nigerian Army, where he rose to the prestigious position of Chief of Army Staff before his retirement, General Dambazau perfectly exemplifies the popular saying that one can be “retired but not tired.” Even after leaving active military service, he has continued to render selfless and professional services to his country, state, and community with remarkable integrity, diligence, and decorum.

It was therefore not surprising that after his retirement from the military’s top echelon, he was found worthy of another prestigious national assignment when he was appointed Minister of Interior by the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.

While serving as Minister of Interior from 2015 to 2019, the ministry under his leadership supervised key security and civil institutions such as the Nigeria Immigration Service, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, the Nigeria Correctional Service, and the Federal Fire Service.

During this period, General Dambazau introduced and implemented several far-reaching reforms that repositioned these agencies for improved service delivery and operational efficiency.

One of the landmark reforms during his tenure was the introduction of permanent security features in the Nigerian passport system, which helped curb forgery and the manipulation that had previously plagued the document.

After completing his ministerial tenure in 2019, General Dambazau, who also serves as Pro-Chancellor of Capital City University Kano, retreated to a relatively private life  

While continuing to expand the frontiers of knowledge through academic engagements, research, and intellectual contributions both nationally and internationally. He remains widely respected as a scholar, security expert, and leader of repute.

As the saying goes, a golden fish has no hiding place. It is therefore not surprising that President Tinubu found him worthy to serve once again, this time as Nigeria’s Ambassador to China—where he is expected to bring his vast experience, knowledge, and exposure to the diplomatic arena for the benefit of Nigeria and its citizens.

Known for his urbane disposition, humility, taciturn nature, and detribalised outlook, General Dambazau is a pragmatic Nigerian who strongly believes in the unity, progress, and strength of Nigeria as a nation.

Born on March 14, 1954, in Kano State, Nigeria, he holds a B.Sc. in Criminal Justice, an M.A. in Political Science, an M.Ed. in Higher Education Administration, and a PhD in Criminology from Keele University in the United Kingdom.

He has authored several scholarly books and publications on criminology, policing, and security studies, and has served as a lecturer and researcher in the fields of security management and crime prevention.

General Dambazau also holds the prestigious traditional title of Baraden Kano.

Indeed, he remains one of Nigeria’s most prominent military leaders and security scholars—an influential figure whose contributions continue to shape both national and global conversations on security, governance, and diplomacy.