The Senate has confirmed 64 nominees for career and non-career ambassadorial positions after adopting the report of its Committee on Foreign Affairs.
The confirmation followed the presentation of the committee’s report by its chairman, Senator Sani Bello, which was subsequently considered and approved by the upper chamber.
During deliberations, Senator Sahabi Yau raised concerns over the absence of any nominee from Zamfara State in the list and urged that the matter be brought to the attention of the President.
Responding, the President of the Senate acknowledged the concern and explained that the list submitted was not exhaustive.
He assured lawmakers that additional nominations were expected and that Zamfara State would not be excluded.
He also pledged to raise the issue directly with President Bola Tinubu.
President Tinubu had, on December 4, forwarded a request to the Senate seeking confirmation of 65 ambassadorial nominees, comprising 34 career ambassadors and 31 non-career ambassadors and high commissioners.
The letter was read on the floor of the Senate during plenary.
The list of nominees includes several prominent political figures among the non-career appointments, such as former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Mahmood Yakubu; former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode; former Abia State Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu; and former presidential aide, Reno Omokri.
Others on the list are Senator Ita Enang, former Enugu State Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, Chioma Ohakim, Bello Danbazau, Vice Admiral Ibok Ete (retd.), and Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, among others.
The ambassadorial nominations were referred to the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs for screening, bringing the total number of nominees considered by the Senate to 68.
This followed the earlier screening and confirmation of three nominees; Kayode Are, Aminu Dalhatu, and Ayodele Oke.
The nominations have continued to generate mixed reactions nationwide. While some stakeholders criticised the inclusion of certain nominees, others defended the President’s choices.
A former Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Joe Keshi, questioned the suitability of some nominees, while the President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Afam Osigwe, criticised the Senate’s screening process.
However, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Affairs and Protocol, Ademola Oshodi, described the nominees as the best choices for Nigeria’s diplomatic interests, insisting that the final outcome would ultimately be judged by their performance in office.
