President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has forwarded the names of 32 ambassadorial nominees to the Senate for confirmation, significantly expanding the roster of Nigeria’s diplomatic corps.
The list, detailed in a press release on Friday, includes a mix of seasoned politicians, former state executives, and career foreign service officers. This batch comes just days after the President submitted an initial list of three nominees.
The new nominees are divided into two categories: 15 Career Ambassadors and 17 Non-Career Ambassadors. Among the prominent names on the non-career list are former presidential aide Reno Omokri (Delta), former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, and former Governor of Enugu State, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi.
Other notable political figures nominated include former Minister of Aviation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode (Osun); former Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Otunba Femi Pedro; and former Governor of Abia State, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu. The list also features former first ladies Erelu Angela Adebayo (Ekiti) and Chief (Mrs.) Florence Ajimobi (Oyo).
The release stated that the nominees are expected to be posted to countries with which Nigeria maintains strategic bilateral relations, such as China, India, the United Arab Emirates, and the United States, as well as to international bodies like the United Nations and the African Union.
The President, through his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, requested the Senate to consider and confirm the nominees expeditiously. He also indicated that more ambassadorial nominations would be announced soon.
