President Bola Tinubu has appointed Dunoma Ahmed as the new Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, following reports of sexual assault.
The appointment was announced in a statement released by the ministry on Thursday.
Ahmed replaces Ibrahim Lamuwa, who is facing allegations of sexual harassment from female subordinates. Ahmed assumed duty on July 23, according to the ministry.
The statement reads: “Born on 15th October, 1968 in Maiduguri, Bornu State, Dr. Ahmed, who has had an impeccable education and meritorious career, has served in various capacities in public organisations as well as the federal civil service and most recently as the immediate past permanent secretary, federal ministry of youth development.”
The allegations against Lamuwa came to light in June when Simisola Fajemirokun Ajayi, a married female aide to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, wrote a petition accusing Lamuwa of sexual harassment. She alleged that Lamuwa touched her inappropriately and invited her to his hotel room on different occasions.
In a letter to President Tinubu last month, some officers of the ministry stated that the allegation against Lamuwa by Ajayi was not the first of its kind.
He said: “Sexual harassment allegations against Lamuwa have become ‘a recurring feature in his entire public service career'”.
