The Nigerian Senate on Thursday confirmed 64 nominees for various Nigerian ambassadorial appointments.
The list, which includes a mix of career diplomats and high-profile political figures, features the immediate past Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu, former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, and former presidential aide, Reno Omokri, whose inclusion sparked controversies and discordant tunes among Nigerians.
Pan-Atlantic Kompass reports that the Senate confirmed the 64 nominees as ambassadors following the presentation and adoption of a report by the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, chaired by Senator Sani Bello.
According to the committee, the nominees underwent rigorous screening and were found suitable to represent Nigeria’s interests on the global stage.
Presenting the committee’s report, its chairman, Senator Sani Bello (APC, Niger North), said none of the nominees had petitions against them and that all were found worthy based on their qualifications, experience, and conduct.
The career ambassadors include Arewa Esther (Oyo), Adeola-Ibrahim Mopelola (Ogun), Ramat Omonbolale (Lagos), Monica Okechukwu Enebechi (Anambra), Adams Bassey (Cross River), Clark Efe (Delta), Mohammed Lele (Bauchi), Muhammad Dahiru (Kaduna), and Ahmed Monguno (Borno).
The non-career ambassadors include Onueze Okocha (Rivers), Femi Pedro (Lagos) Isaac Adewole (Osun), Chioma Ohakim (Imo), Ajimobi Florence (Oyo), Sulola Akande (Oyo), Uguwanyi Ifeanyi (Enugu), Ita Enang (Akwa Ibom), Femi Fani-Kayode (Osun), Jimoh Ibrahim (Ondo), Jerry Manwe (Taraba), Reno Omokri (Delta), Ibas Ibok-Ette (Cross River), Abdulrahman Dambazzau (Kano), and Abas Braimah (Edo).
In all, the confirmed nominees comprise 34 career ambassadors and high commissioners, and 30 non-career ambassadors and high commissioners.
In his remarks, the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, congratulated the appointees and urged them to represent Nigeria positively in their respective postings.
The confirmation came days after the Senate dismissed claims circulating on social media that petitions had been submitted against some nominees, including Fani-Kayode and Omokri.
The Senate spokesperson, Senator Yemi Adaramodu, had said no petition or formal complaint was received by the upper chamber, insisting that the screening process involved detailed engagement with the nominees and not a mere “take a bow and go” exercise.
Recall that Tinubu had transmitted an expanded list of 65 ambassadorial nominees to the Senate on December 4 in a bid to fill long-vacant diplomatic posts and reposition Nigeria’s foreign missions.
The transmission followed months of delay after all Nigerian envoys were recalled in 2023, a situation that had generated debate over Nigeria’s diplomatic representation abroad.
With the confirmations now complete, the confirmed ambassadors are expected to be posted to key global capitals and international organisations in line with Nigeria’s foreign policy priorities.
