President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has forwarded a fresh list of 32 ambassadorial nominees to the Senate, widening his ongoing diplomatic shake-up meant to reposition Nigeria’s representation across key global capitals. This comes just days after the first batch of three nominees was transmitted for screening.
In two letters addressed to Senate President Godswill Akpabio, the President requested speedy confirmation of 15 career diplomats and 17 non-career nominees. The new list features notable political figures, technocrats and former public office holders, including a significant number of women.
Among the non-career nominees are Reno Omokri from Delta State; former INEC chairman, Mahmud Yakubu; former Ekiti First Lady, Erelu Angela Adebayo; former Enugu Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi; former Katsina Speaker, Tasiu Musa Maigari; former UBEC deputy executive secretary, Yakubu N. Gambo; and former Lagos Deputy Governor, Otunba Femi Pedro. Others include former Aviation Minister, Femi Fani-Kayode; former Oyo First Lady, Florence Ajimobi; former Lagos Commissioner, Lola Akande; and former Abia Governor, Victor Okezie Ikpeazu.
Also nominated are Senator Jimoh Ibrahim; former ambassador to the Holy See, Paul Oga Adikwu; former Plateau Senator, Professor Nora Ladi Daduut; and Barrister Nkechi Linda Ufochukwu from Anambra. The list further features ex-presidential aide Barrister Ogbonnaya Kalu, and several other prominent Nigerians drawn from diverse professions.
On the career diplomats’ list are 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) and Mopelola Adeola-Ibrahim (Ogun). Others include 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) and Ambassador Wahab Adekola Akande (Osun).
According to the Presidency, the nominees will be deployed to countries with strong and strategic ties to Nigeria, including China, India, South Korea, Canada, Mexico, the UAE, Qatar, South Africa and Kenya, as well as to multilateral missions such as the UN, UNESCO and the African Union.
A senior State House source said the President aims to strengthen Nigeria’s foreign engagements, explaining that the selection reflects a blend of experience and political representation. In the source’s words, the administration wants envoys who can “champion Nigeria’s interests with clarity, competence and diplomatic tact.”
Last week, President Tinubu sent an earlier list of three nominees — Ambassador Ayodele Oke (Oyo), Ambassador Amin Mohammed Dalhatu (Jigawa), and retired Colonel Lateef Kayode Are (Ogun) — who are expected to be considered for postings to the United Kingdom, the United States or France.
President Tinubu has also indicated that more nominees will be announced soon as part of ongoing efforts to revitalise Nigeria’s diplomatic corps.
Leave a Reply