Nkechi Linda Ufochukwu, a corporate lawyer and policy adviser, is among the 65 ambassadors posted on Friday by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, with her deployment as Nigeria’s non-career envoy to Tel Aviv in Israel.
Anambra-state born Ufochukwu holds a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) from the University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, and a Barrister-at-Law qualification from the Nigerian Law School. She is currently pursuing postgraduate studies for a Master of Laws (LL.M) in International Human Rights Law and Diplomacy at Inview University of East London.
A corporate lawyer and member of the International Bar Association, Ufochukwu brings more than 15 years of legal and policy experience spanning litigation, mediation, corporate advisory work and international arbitration. Her career blends private sector legal practice with public service roles in technology policy.
Before her diplomatic posting, Ufochukwu served as Special Adviser on Legal Affairs to Nigeria’s former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, where she provided legal guidance on intellectual property, technology regulation and bilateral collaborations with global technology firms.
Prior to entering government advisory work, Ufochukwu practised law in Abuja, including as Resident Lawyer and Associate Partner at Alpha Juris Chambers, andPartner at The Law Bond Solicitors.
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Alongside her legal career, Ufochukwu has also maintained an entrepreneurial presence in the private sector. She serves as Managing Director of two Abuja-based companies, Linsam Nigeria Ltd and Valerie Cakes and Treats, ventures
Her professional and political networks extend into political sphere. During the presidential campaign that brought Tinubu to power, she served on the Contact and Mobilisation Committee (South-East) of the ruling All Progressives Congress, helping coordinate grassroots mobilisation in the region
Beyond professional and political work, Ufochukwu has also been involved in humanitarian advocacy through the Nkechiamaka Care Foundation for Women and Children.
Her posting comes as Nigeria seeks to deepen cooperation with Israel in sectors such as technology, agriculture, cybersecurity and digital infrastructure.
Nigeria established diplomatic relations with Israel in 1960 shortly after independence, though ties were suspended following the 1973 Arab-Israeli war before being restored in 1992. Since then, relations have gradually expanded across agriculture, security cooperation, technology partnerships and religious tourism.
Over fifty Israeli companies operate in Nigeria in the spheres of construction, infrastructure, hi-tech, communications and IT, agriculture and water management. In turn, there are over 5,000 Nigerian companies and organisations that operate in Israel.
The Nigerian government is in collaboration with the Israeli government to bring science, technology and innovation (STI) to the youth of Nigeria in other to reduce the rate of unemployment amongst youth in the nation.
With her background in corporate law, policy advisory work and international arbitration, Ufochukwu is expected to represent Nigeria’s interests in Tel Aviv while advancing bilateral engagement between the two countries.
