Summary
President Bola Tinubu has put forward a new list of 32 ambassadorial nominees made up of both career and non-career diplomats for Senate confirmation, expanding on a previous batch of three names submitted last week.
The new list features several high-profile figures, including the immediate past National Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), a former presidential aide to President Goodluck Jonathan, Reno Omokri, and former aviation minister, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode. Also nominated are two political allies of the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, former governors Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State and Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State.
In two letters addressed to Senate President Godswill Akpabio, President Tinubu urged the Senate to give speedy confirmation to 15 career ambassadors and 17 non-career ambassadors. The list includes four women among the career nominees and six among the non-career nominees.
Breakdown of Non-Career Ambassador Nominees
Among those nominated are Barrister Ogbonnaya Kalu (Abia), “Reno Omokri” (Delta), former INEC chairman Mahmud Yakubu, former Ekiti First Lady Erelu Angela Adebayo, and former Enugu governor “Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi.”
Others include Tasiu Musa Maigari, ex-Katsina House of Assembly Speaker; Yakubu N. Gambo, a former Plateau Commissioner; Professor Nora Ladi Daduut, a former senator; Otunba Femi Pedro, former Lagos deputy governor; “Femi Fani-Kayode” (Osun); and Barrister Nkechi Linda Ufochukwu (Anambra).
Additional nominees are former Oyo First Lady Fatima Florence Ajimobi, former Lagos Commissioner Lola Akande, former Adamawa Senator Grace Bent, former Abia governor “Okezie Ikpeazu,” Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, and former envoy to the Holy See, Ambassador Paul Oga Adikwu.
Career Ambassador Nominees
The career nominees include 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 are 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 presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga, the nominees are expected to be deployed to countries with which Nigeria maintains strong diplomatic ties including China, India, South Korea, Canada, Mexico, the UAE, Qatar, South Africa, Kenya, as well as key multilateral missions such as the United Nations, UNESCO, and the African Union.
Last week, Tinubu had already forwarded three ambassadorial names—Ambassador Ayodele Oke (Oyo), Ambassador Amin Mohammed Dalhatu (Jigawa), and Retired Colonel Lateef Kayode Are (Ogun)—who are being considered for top postings in the UK, USA, or France.
The President added that more ambassadorial nominees will be announced shortly.
What You Should Know
This latest submission marks one of President Tinubu’s most politically diverse ambassadorial lists, blending former governors, ex-ministers, presidential aides, and career diplomats.
The nominations reflect a strategic push to strengthen Nigeria’s global representation, reward political allies, and ensure experienced hands are posted to key international missions.
The Senate’s confirmation will determine the final diplomatic placements.
