President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has forwarded a fresh list of 68 ambassadorial nominees to the Senate, marking one of the most extensive diplomatic appointments under his administration.
The list, which includes both career and non-career nominees, was announced during Thursday’s plenary after Senate President Godswill Akpabio read the president’s letter to lawmakers.
Tinubu urged the Senate to give the nominations accelerated consideration. He said the appointments were urgent because the federal government needed to fill several key diplomatic positions worldwide.
The request moved the upper chamber into action immediately. Consequently, Akpabio directed the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs to begin screening and submit its report within one week.
The list features notable names from politics, security, and public service. Former Chief of Naval Staff and ex–Rivers State Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (rtd.), made the cut. Former Minister of Interior and ex–Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Abdulrahman Dambazau (rtd.), also appeared on the list, confirming earlier speculations about his return to public service.
The president also nominated former presidential aide Reno Omokri as a non-career ambassadorial candidate from Delta State.
Former Imo First Lady Chioma Ohakim and former presidential adviser Ita Enang were equally nominated, adding political weight to the list.
In total, the president included 34 career diplomats and 31 non-career nominees. Additionally, three nominees from an earlier batch have already been screened and cleared by the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs.
They include Ayodele Oke from Oyo, Amin Mohammed Dalhatu from Jigawa, and retired Colonel Lateef Kayode Are from Ogun.
Career nominees are spread across all states, with each state producing at least one representative.
The list includes experienced diplomats such as Ambassador Mohammed Saidu Dahiru from Kaduna, Ambassador Ahmed Mohammed Monguno from Borno, and Ambassador Abdul Salam Abus Zayat from Kano. Several states, including Katsina, Kebbi, and Niger, received two nominations each.
For the non-career list, political heavyweights dominate. Senator Grace Bent represents Adamawa, while Senator Jimoh Ibrahim appears for Ondo.
Former Lagos deputy governor Olufemi Pedro is also listed as a nominee for Lagos State. Former Enugu governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi also appears as a nominee, strengthening the political profile of the batch.
The nominations reflect Tinubu’s ongoing restructuring of Nigeria’s foreign missions. The administration has repeatedly said it wants stronger diplomatic engagement and better representation abroad.
With 68 names now before the Senate, Nigeria’s diplomatic corps may soon experience its largest shake-up in years.
Screening begins next week, and the Senate is expected to complete the process quickly, given the president’s request for speed. Nigerians at home and abroad are now watching closely as the list moves through the confirmation process.