The Federal Republic of Nigeria opened the Embassy of Nigeria in Athens, Greece, in 1981, during the tenure of President Shehu Shagari. The first Nigerian Ambassador to the Hellenic Republic was Alhaji Baba Gana Kingibe. Following the military intervention in 1984, the Mission was closed and Nigeria’s interest in Greece was covered by the Nigerian Embassy in Rome, until the re-opening of the Mission in February 2000, under the leadership of Ambassador Frank Ogbuewu.

Past Heads of Mission at the Embassy:

• Ambassador Baba Gana Kingibe (1981-1984)
• Ambassador Frank Ogbuewu (2000 – 2003)
• Ambassador Prof. Olu Agbi (2004 – 2007)
• Ambassador Dr. Etim Udo Uye (2008 – 2012)
• Ambassador Ayodeji Ayodele (2012 – 2016)
• Mr. Folorunsho Ajadi (2017-2019) [Charge D’Affaires En-Titre]

The Mission remained at the level of Charge D’Affaires till 2021, with the appointment of the present Ambassador, H.E. Opunimi Orikaba Akinkugbe, the first woman to occupy the role.