President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has forwarded a fresh list of 32 ambassadorial nominees to the Senate for confirmation, marking a significant expansion of Nigeria’s diplomatic representation. The new batch — comprising 15 career diplomats and 17 non-career appointees — comes just days after an initial submission of three nominees.
In letters addressed to Senate President Godswill Akpabio, President Tinubu urged the upper chamber to give prompt consideration to the nominees, who are expected to strengthen Nigeria’s global engagements.
The list, released by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, includes notable political figures such as former presidential aide Reno Omokri, ex-Minister of Aviation Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, former INEC Chairman Mahmud Yakubu, former Enugu Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, and former Lagos Deputy Governor Otunba Femi Pedro.
A total of four women were nominated as career ambassadors, while six women were shortlisted in the non-career category, reflecting a broader representation effort.
Other prominent names include former first ladies Angela Adebayo and Fatima Florence Ajimobi; former Lagos Commissioner Lola Akande; Senator Grace Bent; ex-Abia Governor Okezie Ikpeazu; Senator Jimoh Ibrahim; and seasoned diplomat Ambassador Paul Oga Adikwu.
The career nominees feature experienced public servants drawn from various states, expected to take up postings in countries with strategic bilateral ties to Nigeria — such as China, India, Canada, South Korea, South Africa, and the United Arab Emirates — as well as at multilateral missions like the United Nations, UNESCO, and the African Union.
This submission follows last week’s nomination of three high-ranking diplomats: Ambassador Ayodele Oke (Oyo), Ambassador Amin Mohammed Dalhatu (Jigawa), and Retired Colonel Lateef Kayode Are (Ogun), who are in contention for postings to the United Kingdom, United States, and France.
President Tinubu noted that additional ambassadorial appointments will be announced in due course.
Non-Career Ambassadors (17 nominees):
- Barrister Ogbonnaya Kalu (Abia)
- Reno Omokri (Delta)
- Prof. Mahmood Yakubu (Bauchi)
- Erelu Bisi Angela Adebayo (Ekiti)
- Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu)
- Tasiu Musa Maigari (Katsina)
- Yakubu N. Gambo (Plateau)
- Prof. Nora Ladi Daduut (Plateau)
- Otunba Femi Pedro (Lagos)
- Chief Femi Fani-Kayode (Osun)
- Barr. Nkechi Linda Ufochukwu (Anambra)
- Fatima Florence Ajimobi (Oyo)
- Lola Akande (Lagos)
- Grace Bent (Adamawa)
- Dr. Victor Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia)
- Senator Jimoh Ibrahim (Ondo)
- Ambassador Paul Oga Adikwu (Benue)
Career Ambassadors (15 nominees):
- 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)
- Mopelola Adeola-Ibrahim (Ogun)
- 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)
- Ambassador Wahab Adekola Akande (Osun).