President Bola Tinubu has submitted to the Senate a request for the confirmation of 65 ambassadorial nominees, comprising 34 career ambassadors and 31 non-career ambassadors and high commissioners.
The request was formally conveyed on the Senate floor by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
The list of non-career nominees features several prominent political figures, including:
Mahmood Yakubu, former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)
Femi Fani-Kayode, former Minister of Aviation
Okezie Ikpeazu, former Governor of Abia State
Reno Omokri, former presidential aide
Others named include Senator Ita Enang, former Enugu State Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, Chioma Ohakim, Bello Danbazau, Vice Admiral Ibok Ete (retd.), and Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, among others.
Both the career and non-career lists have been referred to the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, which is expected to conduct the screening process and submit its report to the upper chamber within a week.
With this new batch of 65 nominees, the total number of ambassadorial candidates before the Senate rises to 68, with three—Kayode Are, Aminu Dalhatu, and Ayodele Oke—already having undergone screening by the committee.
The confirmations, once completed, will bolster Nigeria’s diplomatic corps with a mix of seasoned career diplomats and experienced political figures.
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