President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has submitted a new list of 32 ambassadorial nominees to the Senate, marking another major step in his ongoing diplomatic shake-up. The list, which combines experienced career diplomats with prominent political figures, was conveyed in two letters to Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
The latest nominations come barely a week after the President forwarded an initial batch of three envoys.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said the fresh list comprises 15 career ambassadors and 17 non-career nominees. He noted that the selections cut across all geopolitical zones and include ten women—four career officers and six non-career.
The list immediately drew public attention due to the inclusion of several well-known personalities. Among the non-career nominees are former INEC chairman Mahmud Yakubu, political commentator and former presidential aide Reno Omokri, former Enugu governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, ex-minister Femi Fani-Kayode, and former Lagos deputy governor Femi Pedro.
Also nominated are former Ekiti First Lady Erelu Adebayo, former Plateau senator Nora Ladi Daduut, ex-Oyo First Lady Florence Ajimobi, former Lagos commissioner Lola Akande, former Senator Grace Bent, ex-Abia governor Okezie Ikpeazu, and Ondo businessman and senator Jimoh Ibrahim. Ambassador Paul Oga Adikwu, Nigeria’s former envoy to the Vatican, also made the list.
The 15 career diplomats nominated for ambassadorial postings 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, Shehu Barde, Ahmed Mohammed Monguno, Muhammad Saidu Dahiru, Olatunji Ahmed Sulu Gambari, and Wahab Adekola Akande.
According to the Presidency, the nominees are expected to serve in countries with significant diplomatic or economic ties to Nigeria, including China, India, South Korea, Mexico, Canada, South Africa, Qatar, the UAE, and Kenya. Others will be deployed to multilateral missions such as the United Nations, UNESCO, and the African Union once the Senate completes its confirmation process.
Last week, Tinubu forwarded three nominees—Ambassador Ayodele Oke, Ambassador Amin Mohammed Dalhatu, and Retired Colonel Lateef Kayode Are—who are being considered for postings in the United Kingdom, United States, or France.
Onanuga added that more names will be forwarded to the Senate soon as the administration completes its new diplomatic structure.
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