President Bola Tinubu on Thursday forwarded a fresh batch of 32 ambassadorial nominees to the Senate for confirmation, just a day after the upper chamber began screening an earlier set of three nominees.
The letter, read during plenary by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, urged lawmakers to “consider and confirm expeditiously” 15 career ambassadors and 17 non-career ambassadors. Akpabio referred the list to the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, with a directive that the report be submitted within one week.
Among the 17 non-career nominees are prominent political figures, including Reno Omokri, former presidential aide; Chief Femi Fani-Kayode; former Lagos deputy governor Prof. Mahmood Yakubu; Otunba Femi Pedro, former Aviation Minister; Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, ex-Governor of Enugu State; and Senator Jimoh Ibrahim.
The list also highlights efforts toward gender balance, featuring four women among the career nominees and six women on the non-career list.
Non-Career Nominees Include:
Ogbonnaya Kalu, Reno Omokri, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, Erelu Bisi Angela Adebayo, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, Tasiu Musa Maigari, Yakubu N. Gambo, Prof. Nora Ladi Daduut, Otunba Femi Pedro, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, Barr. Nkechi Linda Ufochukwu, Fatima Florence Ajimobi, Lola Akande, Grace Bent, Dr. Victor Okezie Ikpeazu, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, Ambassador Paul Oga Adikwu.
Career Nominees Include:
Enebechi Monica Okwuchukwu, Yakubu Nyaku Danladi, Miamuna Ibrahim Besto, Musa Musa Abubakar, Syndoph Paebi Endoni, Chima Geoffrey Lioma David, Mopelola Adeola-Ibrahim, Abimbola Samuel Reuben, Yvonne Ehinosen Odumah, Hamza Mohammed Salau, Ambassador Shehu Barde, Ambassador Ahmed Mohammed Monguno, Ambassador Muhammad Saidu Dahiru, Ambassador Olatunji Ahmed Sulu Gambari, Ambassador Wahab Adekola Akande.
The initial three nominees—Kayode Are, Aminu Dalhatu, and Ayodele Oke—were transmitted earlier and have already appeared before the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs chaired by former Niger State governor, Senator Sani Bello. Their screening is ongoing, with reports expected to be presented to the full Senate soon.
The phased submission of ambassadorial nominees underscores the administration’s strategic approach to filling key diplomatic roles.
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