By Peter Omopo
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has submitted a fresh list of 32 ambassadorial nominees to the Senate, seeking their swift confirmation as part of ongoing diplomatic appointments aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s foreign missions.
In two separate letters addressed to the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, President Tinubu requested the confirmation of 15 career ambassadors and 17 non-career ambassadors, marking the second major batch of nominations in recent weeks. The new list follows the earlier submission of three nominees.
The President’s latest nominees include 10 women—four among the career diplomats and six in the non-career category—reflecting what officials describe as an effort to broaden gender inclusivity in Nigeria’s diplomatic leadership.
Among the notable figures on the non-career list are former Aviation Minister Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, former Enugu State Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, public affairs commentator Reno Omokri, former Lagos Deputy Governor Otunba Femi Pedro, and former Oyo First Lady Mrs. Florence Ajimobi.
Also featured is Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, current Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), whose nomination has already stirred public interest due to its potential implications for electoral administration.
FULL LIST OF NOMINEES
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)
The Senate is expected to begin screening the nominees in the coming days, with legislative sources indicating that the confirmation process will be prioritized due to the strategic importance of foreign missions to national policy.
The new appointments come as Nigeria seeks to bolster international partnerships, strengthen diplomatic engagements, and reposition its global presence.
More updates to follow as the Senate begins its confirmation proceedings.
