President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Saturday unveiled a 32-man Ambassador-designate, forwarding the list to the Senate for screening and confirmation.
Pan-Atlantic Kompass reports that the list features a mix of seasoned career diplomats and high-profile non-career appointees, including several notable political figures whose nominations have instantly generated significant public discourse.
Among the 32-man ambassador-designate are the former chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Mahmud Yakubu, an aide to former President Goodluck Jonathan, Reno Omokri (Delta), and former Enugu State Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, among others.
It was also gathered that the new nominees are expected to be posted to countries with which Nigeria maintains excellent and strategic bilateral relations, such as China, India, South Korea, Canada, Mexico, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, South Africa, Kenya, and to Permanent Missions such as the United Nations, UNESCO, and the African Union.
According to a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga on Saturday, the nominees include 17 non-career ambassadors and 15 career ambassadors, who will be posted to countries and international organisations critical to Nigeria’s foreign relations.
Below is the full list:
Non-Career Ambassadors (17 Nominees)
Barrister Ogbonnaya Kalu (Abia)
Reno Omokri (Delta) – Former aide to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan
Prof. Mahmood Yakubu (Bauchi) – Former INEC Chairman
Erelu Bisi Angela Adebayo (Ekiti) – Former Ekiti First Lady
Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu) – Former Governor of Enugu State
Tasiu Musa Maigari (Katsina) – Former Speaker, Katsina House of Assembly
Yakubu N. Gambo (Plateau) – Former Plateau Commissioner, ex-Deputy Executive Secretary, Universal Basic Education Commission
Prof. Nora Ladi Daduut (Plateau) – Former Senator
Otunba Femi Pedro (Lagos) – Former Deputy Governor of Lagos State
Chief Femi Fani-Kayode (Osun) – Former Aviation Minister
Barr. Nkechi Linda Ufochukwu (Anambra) – Legal practitioner
Fatima Florence Ajimobi (Oyo) – Former First Lady of Oyo State
Lola Akande (Lagos) – Former Lagos State Commissioner
Grace Bent (Adamawa) – Former Senator
Dr. Victor Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia) – Former Governor of Abia State
Senator Jimoh Ibrahim (Ondo) – Businessman and former Senator
Ambassador Paul Oga Adikwu (Benue) – Former Ambassador to the Holy See
Career Ambassadors (15 Nominees)
Enebechi Monica Okwuchukwu (Abia)
Yakubu Nyaku Danladi (Taraba)
Miamuna Ibrahim Besto (Adamawa)
Musa Musa Abubakar (Kebbi)
Syndoph Paebi Endoni (Bayelsa)
Chima Geoffrey Lioma David (Ebonyi)
Mopelola Adeola-Ibrahim (Ogun)
Abimbola Samuel Reuben (Ondo)
Yvonne Ehinosen Odumah (Edo)
Hamza Mohammed Salau (Niger)
Ambassador Shehu Barde (Katsina)
Ambassador Ahmed Mohammed Monguno (Borno)
Ambassador Muhammad Saidu Dahiru (Kaduna)
Ambassador Olatunji Ahmed Sulu Gambari (Kwara)
Ambassador Wahab Adekola Akande (Osun)
The new 32-man ambassador-designate list comes after Tinubu sent three ambassadorial nominees for screening and confirmation.
The nominees were Ambassador Ayodele Oke (Oyo), Ambassador Amin Mohammed Dalhatu (Jigawa), and Retired Colonel Lateef Kayode Are (Ogun).
All three are in the pot for posting to the UK, USA, or France after their confirmation.
