THIS DAWN — President Bola Ahmed Tinubu transmitted a comprehensive list of 35 nominees to serve as ambassadors to the Senate, seeking swift confirmation of 35 individuals to represent Nigeria abroad.
The move comes nearly two years after Tinubu recalled all ambassadors in September 2023, leaving several missions vacant.
In two separate letters to Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Tinubu requested the confirmation of 15 career ambassadors and 17 non‑career ambassadors.
The latest batch of 32 names follows an earlier submission of three nominees earlier in the week.
According to Presidential Adviser Bayo Onanuga, the list reflects gender balance and regional spread, with four women nominated as career ambassadors and six women nominated as non‑career ambassadors.
Among the non‑career nominees are:
- Reno Omokri (Delta) – former presidential aide
- Mahmood Yakubu, former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)
- Femi Fani‑Kayode – former Minister of Aviation
- Erelu Angela Adebayo – former Ekiti First Lady
- Okezie Ikpeazu – former Governor of Abia State
- Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi – former Governor of Enugu State
- Barrister Ogbonnaya Kalu (Abia)
- Kayode Are (Ogun) – former DG of State Security Service
- Aminu Dalhatu (Jigawa)
- Ayodele Oke (Oyo) – former DG of National Intelligence Agency
- Jimoh Ibrahim, businessman and senator.
Additional nominees include six women across various states.
The career nominees include seasoned diplomats drawn from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, representing various states across Nigeria.
Finally, Ambassadors After 2 years
Tinubu emphasized that the appointments are part of his administration’s efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s foreign policy and ensure effective representation in key global capitals.
The nominees are expected to undergo screening by the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs before final confirmation.
Analysts note that the inclusion of prominent political figures alongside career diplomats signals Tinubu’s intent to blend professional expertise with political influence in Nigeria’s diplomatic corps.
If confirmed, the ambassadors will be tasked with advancing Nigeria’s interests abroad, fostering bilateral relations, and supporting economic diplomacy in line with Tinubu’s foreign policy agenda.
It could be recalled that the seat of ambassadors have been vacant since 2023 when Tinubu recalled all of them.
See full list of the ambassador-nominees below:
