The Senate has confirmed 64 nominees for career and non-career ambassadorial appointments following the adoption of a report by the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs.
The confirmation was announced on Thursday after the committee, chaired by Senator Sani Bello, presented its findings during plenary.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had earlier forwarded a request to the Senate on December 4, seeking approval for 65 ambassadorial nominees, made up of 34 career ambassadors and 31 non-career ambassadors and high commissioners.
New Names Added to List
Some of the nominees confirmed were not included in the initial list sent to the Senate. They later appeared in a supplementary letter read by Senate President Godswill Akpabio during plenary.
The newly added nominees include:
Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, former Chief of Naval Staff and immediate past Sole Administrator of Rivers State
Ita Enang, former senator and presidential aide
Chioma Ohakim, former First Lady of Imo State
Abdulrahman Dambazau, former Minister of Interior and ex-Chief of Army Staff
President Tinubu urged lawmakers to give the nominations swift consideration, citing the need to urgently fill vacant diplomatic postings.
Controversial Appointments
Among the confirmed non-career ambassadors are Reno Omokri, a former presidential aide; Femi Fani-Kayode, a former Minister of Aviation; and Mahmood Yakubu, immediate past Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Their nominations generated widespread public debate and mixed reactions.
Opposition Criticism
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) criticised the ambassadorial list, describing it as politically motivated and damaging to Nigeria’s democratic image.
In a statement by its spokesperson, Bolaji Abdullahi, the party accused the President of prioritising political patronage over professionalism, arguing that the nominations undermined Nigeria’s diplomatic credibility at a critical time.
Despite the criticism, the Senate proceeded with the confirmation after screening and review.
