Several high-profile ambassadorial nominees, including Reno Omokri, Senator Grace Bent, and former Aviation Minister Femi Fani-Kayode, arrived at the National Assembly on Thursday for their Senate screening. Former Interior Minister Abdulrahman Dambazau was also present.
This comes two weeks after President Bola Tinubu submitted a 32-member list of ambassadorial nominees to the Senate on November 29 for confirmation.
The list comprises 15 career diplomats and 17 non-career nominees.
According to the Presidency, confirmed nominees will be posted to countries with which Nigeria maintains diplomatic relations, as well as international organizations such as the United Nations.
The list includes notable political figures such as former INEC Chairman Mahmood Yakubu, ex-governors Okezie Ikpeazu and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, former presidential aide Reno Omokri, and former Aviation Minister Femi Fani-Kayode. Among the nominees are four women in the career diplomat category and six women as non-career nominees.
Since its announcement, the nominations have generated public scrutiny and criticism, particularly over the inclusion of former political officeholders.
Non-Career Ambassadors (17)
- Barr. Ogbonnaya Kalu – Abia
- Reno Omokri – Delta
- Prof. Mahmood Yakubu – Former INEC Chairman
- Erelu Angela Adebayo – Former Ekiti First Lady
- Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi – Former Enugu Governor
- Tasiu Musa Maigari – Former Speaker, Katsina State Assembly
- Yakubu N. Gambo – Former Plateau Commissioner / Former UBEC Deputy Executive Secretary
- Prof. Nora Ladi Daduut – Former Senator, Plateau
- Otunba Femi Pedro – Former Lagos Deputy Governor
- Chief Femi Fani-Kayode – Former Aviation Minister, Osun
- Barr. Nkechi Linda Ufochukwu – Anambra
- Fatima Florence Ajimobi – Former Oyo First Lady
- Lola Akande – Former Lagos Commissioner
- Grace Bent – Former Senator, Adamawa
- Victor Okezie Ikpeazu – Former Abia Governor
- Senator Jimoh Ibrahim – Ondo
- Amb. Paul Oga Adikwu – Former Ambassador to the Holy See, Benue
Career Ambassadors (15)
- 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
- Amb. Shehu Barde – Katsina
- Amb. Ahmed Mohammed Monguno – Borno
- Amb. Muhammad Saidu Dahiru – Kaduna
- Amb. Olatunji Ahmed Sulu Gambari – Kwara
- Amb. Wahab Adekola Akande – Osun
