H.E. Pieter Leenknegt
His Excellency Pieter Leenknegt is the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Belgium to the Federal Republic of Nigeria, having presented his credentials to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on October 31, 2023. In this capacity, he plays a central role in deepening bilateral relations, strengthening diplomatic cooperation, and exploring new avenues of partnership between Belgium and Nigeria.
Ambassador Leenknegt is a distinguished career diplomat with extensive experience in international relations and environmental diplomacy. Prior to his posting in Nigeria, he served as Deputy Head of Mission at the Belgian Embassy in Nairobi, Kenya, where he also acted as Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP). His career further includes leading the Belgian Diplomatic Representation in Kabul, Afghanistan, as well as serving as a delegate to global institutions such as the World Trade Organization and the United Nations in Geneva. He has been actively involved in major international negotiations, including those linked to the Minamata Convention on Mercury and the Nagoya Protocol.
In Nigeria, Ambassador Leenknegt’s work spans key areas of cooperation between both nations. He is committed to promoting Belgian expertise in agriculture and food security, supporting initiatives that contribute to the modernization and resilience of Nigeria’s agricultural sector. He also advances trade and investment relations, especially through enhanced collaboration between Belgian and Nigerian ports and by encouraging Belgian private-sector participation in the Nigerian market. His dedication to social development is reflected in his advocacy for gender equality, child protection, and the fight against gender-based violence, exemplified through initiatives such as the global “She Decides” movement. Additionally, he champions environmental sustainability and leads discussions on how Belgian technology and innovation can support Nigeria’s environmental remediation and cleanup efforts.
Ambassador Leenknegt holds LL.M. degrees from Harvard Law School and the College of Europe, underscoring his strong academic foundation in international law and governance.
As he once expressed, “In your hands lies an ode to the possibilities of intercontinentally blended creative arts and industries, and to Belgian-Nigerian fusion in particular”—a reflection of his deep appreciation for cultural collaboration and cross-continental partnership.