Several of President Bola Tinubu’s ambassadorial nominees — including Reno Omokri, Senator Grace Bent, and former Aviation Minister Femi Fani-Kayode — on Thursday arrived at the National Assembly for their screening by the Senate.
Former Interior Minister Abdulrahman Dambazau was also seen entering the building.
Their appearance follows the President’s submission of a 32-man ambassadorial list to the Senate, which comprises 15 career diplomats and 17 non-career nominees. The nominations have drawn significant public debate, with critics questioning the inclusion of several high-profile political figures.
The nominees are expected to be deployed to countries with which Nigeria maintains diplomatic relations, including postings to international organisations such as the United Nations.
Among the prominent nominees are former INEC Chairman Mahmood Yakubu, former governors Okezie Ikpeazu and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, former presidential aide Reno Omokri, and former minister Femi Fani-Kayode.
Four women appear on the career diplomats’ list, while six were nominated as non-career ambassadors.
The nominations have attracted scrutiny from various quarters, especially from those urging the Senate to thoroughly examine the credentials and past public service records of the nominees.
