Former governors, INEC chair, ex-ministers among nominees for strategic diplomatic postings worldwide
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has forwarded the names of 32 individuals for ambassadorial appointments, including former Enugu State Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, ex-INEC Chairman Mahmud Yakubu, former Minister Femi Fani-Kayode, and ex-presidential aide Reno Omokri, the Presidency announced on Saturday.
According to Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, the nominees’ names have been sent to the National Assembly for confirmation, with the President urging the Senate to “consider and confirm expeditiously” the appointments.
The 32 nominees are divided into 15 career ambassadors and 17 non-career appointees, with four women on the career list and six women among the non-career nominees.
Notable Non-Career Nominees
- Barrister Ogbonnaya Kalu (Abia)
- Former presidential aide Reno Omokri (Delta)
- Former INEC Chairman Mahmud Yakubu
- Former Ekiti First Lady Angela Adebayo
- Former Enugu Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi
- Ex-Lagos Deputy Governor Femi Pedro
- Former Minister of Aviation Femi Fani-Kayode
- Former First Lady of Oyo State Fatima Florence Ajimobi
- Senator and businessman Jimoh Ibrahim (Ondo)
- Former Ambassador to the Holy See, Paul Oga Adikwu (Benue)
Career Ambassadors and High Commissioner 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)
- Others include Abimbola Samuel Reuben (Ondo), Yvonne Ehinosen Odumah (Edo), and Ambassador Shehu Barde (Katsina)
The nominees are expected to represent Nigeria in countries with strategic bilateral relations, including China, India, South Korea, Canada, Mexico, the UAE, Qatar, South Africa, Kenya, as well as at multilateral institutions such as the United Nations, UNESCO, and the African Union. Specific assignments will be communicated after Senate confirmation.
Background
This latest batch follows the earlier submission of three ambassadorial nominees, Ambassador Ayodele Oke (Oyo), Ambassador Amin Mohammed Dalhatu (Jigawa), and Retired Colonel Lateef Kayode Are (Ogun) who are slated for postings to the UK, USA, and France once confirmed.
In 2024, Nigeria delayed ambassadorial appointments due to budget constraints, according to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar.
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