President Bola Tinubu has submitted a fresh batch of 65 ambassadorial nominees to the Nigerian Senate, a move aimed at filling key diplomatic positions both within and outside Africa.
The nominees, comprising 34 career diplomats and 31 non-career appointees, included notable political and public figures from across the country.
During plenary on Thursday, Senate President Godswill Akpabio read out the letter from President Tinubu, highlighting the need for the Senate to act swiftly.
“This is to ensure that key diplomatic vacancies are promptly filled,” the letter urged.
Following the reading, Akpabio forwarded the list to the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, instructing the panel to complete its screening and submit a report within one week.
Among the non-career nominees are some high-profile names, including former Rivers State sole administrator Ibok-Ete Ibas, ex-Minister of Interior Abdulrahman Dambazau, former senator representing Akwa Ibom North-East Ita Enang, ex-Imo State First Lady Chioma Ohakim, and Senator Folasade Grace Bent.
These appointments reflected a blend of seasoned politicians and public administrators tapped for strategic diplomatic roles.
The career diplomats on the list included Sulu-Gambari Olatunde Ahmed from Kwara State and Segun Ige from Edo State, both with extensive experience in Nigeria’s foreign service.
Senator Akpabio also clarified the status of three previously submitted nominees—Kayode Are (Ogun State), Aminu Dalhatu (Jigawa), and Ayodele Oke (Oyo State).
He noted that they had already been screened by the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs.
The new 65 nominees would undergo the same scrutiny over the next week.
This batch of nominees was not part of an earlier release by the presidency, indicating a renewed effort to fill Nigeria’s critical diplomatic posts ahead of the next international engagements.
The swift screening and confirmation of these ambassadors are seen as crucial for sustaining Nigeria’s foreign relations, trade negotiations, and participation in multilateral organizations.
The Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs is now expected to begin hearings immediately, with attention likely to focus on the nominees’ experience, diplomatic acumen, and capacity to represent Nigeria’s interests abroad.
