Former U.S ambassador to Nigeria, Walter Carrington, is dead.

Confirming the news in a statement, his wife, Arese Carrigngton, said: "he passed away peacefully, surrounded by loved ones."

He was aged 90.

She wrote: “It is with a heavy and broken heart but with gratitude to God for his life of selfless humanity that I announce the passing of my beloved husband Walter Carrington, former U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria and Senegal.

“Further announcements will be made shortly.

“Walter was a loving husband, father, grandfather, cousin, uncle, friend and in-law.

“Ralph Waldo Emerson said…It is not the length of life but the depth of life.

“Walter was fortunate, his life had both length and depth."