Segun Atanda/
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has forwarded 32 additional ambassadorial nominees to the Senate for confirmation, broadening the slate of envoys poised to represent Nigeria across strategic global capitals. The new submission comes just days after the President transmitted an earlier batch of three nominees to the upper chamber.
In two letters addressed to Senate President Godswill Akpabio, President Tinubu requested expedited consideration and confirmation for 15 career ambassadors and 17 non-career ambassadors, a blend seen as part of his administration’s effort to recalibrate Nigeria’s diplomatic engagements.
Women Gain More Ground in Diplomacy
The new list features 10 women, four in the career category and six among the non-career nominees, signaling a continued push for gender inclusion in Nigeria’s foreign service architecture.
High-Profile Political Figures Make the List
Among the non-career nominees are notable personalities including:
Barrister Ogbonnaya Kalu (Abia) – former presidential aide
Reno Omokri (Delta)
Prof. Mahmud Yakubu – former INEC chairman
Erelu Angela Adebayo – former First Lady of Ekiti State
Chief Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi – former Enugu governor
Prof. Nora Ladi Daduut (Plateau) – former senator
Otunba Femi Pedro (Lagos) – former deputy governor
Chief Femi Fani-Kayode (Osun) – former aviation minister
Barr. Nkechi Linda Ufochukwu (Anambra)
Fatima Florence Ajimobi – former First Lady of Oyo State
Lola Akande – former Lagos State commissioner
Senator Grace Bent (Adamawa)
Victor Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia) – former governor
Senator Jimoh Ibrahim (Ondo) – businessman and lawmaker
Ambassador Paul Oga Adikwu (Benue) – former envoy to the Holy See
Others include Tasiu Musa Maigari, former Katsina Assembly Speaker; and Yakubu N. Gambo, ex-Plateau commissioner and former deputy executive secretary of UBEC.
Career Diplomats in the Mix
The career ambassadorial nominees include:
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)
Strategic Global Postings Ahead
The nominees, once confirmed by the Senate, are expected to be deployed to key nations with which Nigeria maintains vital diplomatic and economic ties – China, India, South Korea, Canada, Mexico, UAE, Qatar, South Africa, Kenya, as well as multilateral missions including the United Nations, UNESCO, and the African Union.
Earlier Submissions, More to Come
Last week, President Tinubu nominated three other ambassadors – Ambassador Ayodele Oke (Oyo), Ambassador Amin Mohammed Dalhatu (Jigawa), and Retired Colonel Lateef Kayode Are (Ogun), all being considered for plum postings to the United Kingdom, United States, or France.
Presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga confirmed that additional nominations are still expected as the Tinubu administration restructures its foreign service footprint.
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