President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Submits New List of 32 Ambassadorial Nominees to Senate
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has forwarded a new list of 32 ambassadorial nominees to the Senate for confirmation, marking a notable expansion of Nigeria’s diplomatic presence.
The latest batch includes 15 career diplomats and 17 non-career appointees, arriving shortly after an initial submission of three nominees.
In correspondence addressed to Senate President Godswill Akpabio, President Tinubu urged prompt consideration of the nominees to bolster Nigeria’s international relations.
The list, announced by Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy Bayo Onanuga, features prominent political figures such as former presidential aide Reno Omokri, ex-Minister of Aviation Femi Fani-Kayode, ex-INEC Chairman Mahmud Yakubu, ex-Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, and ex-Lagos Deputy Governor Femi Pedro.
Four women were nominated as career ambassadors, and six women are among the non-career appointees, reflecting efforts toward greater gender representation.
Additional notable nominees include former First Ladies Angela Adebayo and Fatima Florence Ajimobi, ex-Lagos Commissioner Lola Akande, Senator Grace Bent, ex-Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, and veteran diplomat Paul Oga Adikwu.
The career diplomats are experienced public servants from various states, with postings expected in China, India, Canada, South Korea, South Africa, the United Arab Emirates, and multilateral organizations such as the United Nations, UNESCO, and the African Union.
This submission follows the recent nomination of three senior diplomats—Ambassadors Ayodele Oke, Amin Mohammed Dalhatu, and retired Colonel Lateef Kayode Are—for postings to the United Kingdom, United States, and France.
President Tinubu indicated that additional appointments will be announced in due course.
Non-Career Ambassadors (17 nominees):
– 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)
– Femi Pedro (Lagos)
– Femi Fani-Kayode (Osun)
– Nkechi Linda Ufochukwu (Anambra)
– Fatima Florence Ajimobi (Oyo)
– Lola Akande (Lagos)
– Grace Bent (Adamawa)
– Victor Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia)
– Jimoh Ibrahim (Ondo)
– Paul Oga Adikwu (Benue)
Career Ambassadors (15 nominees):
– Monica Okwuchukwu (Abia)
– Yakubu Danladi (Taraba)
– Ibrahim Besto (Adamawa)
– Musa Abubakar (Kebbi)
– Syndoph Endoni (Bayelsa)
– Geoffrey Lioma David (Ebonyi)
– Mopelola Ibrahim (Ogun)
– Samuel Reuben (Ondo)
– Yvonne Odumah (Edo)
– Mohammed Salau (Niger)
– Shehu Barde (Katsina)
– Mohammed Monguno (Borno)
– Saidu Dahiru (Kaduna)
– Sulu Gambari (Kwara)
– Wahab Akande (Osun)
