By Ghazali Ibrahim
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has submitted a fresh list of 32 ambassadorial nominees to the Senate, dividing them into 15 career and 17 political appointees, as part of ongoing efforts to reposition Nigeria’s foreign missions.
In two letters addressed to Senate President Godswill Akpabio, President Tinubu urged lawmakers to expedite the confirmation process to allow the nominees assume their diplomatic assignments.
The career nominees drawn from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs include Enebechi Monica Okwuchukwu, Yakubu Nyaku Danladi, Miamuna Ibrahim Besto, Musa Musa Abubakar, and Syndoph Paebi Endoni.
Others are Chima Geoffrey Lioma David, Mopelola Adeola-Ibrahim, Abimbola Samuel Reuben, Yvonne Ehinosen Odumah, Hamza Mohammed Salau, Ambassador Shehu Barde, Ambassador Ahmed Mohammed Monguno, Ambassador Muhammad Saidu Dahiru, Ambassador Olatunji Ahmed Sulu Gambari, and Ambassador Wahab Adekola Akande.
These career diplomats are expected to be deployed to missions requiring technical expertise and continuity, including China, India, South Korea, Canada, and key multilateral posts such as the UN, AU, and UNESCO.
The political appointees list includes high-profile political figures, technocrats, and former public office holders.
Prominent among them are former INEC Chairman Mahmud Yakubu, former presidential aide Reno Omokri, ex-Ekiti First Lady Erelu Angela Adebayo, and former Enugu Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi.
Also nominated are former Lagos Deputy Governor Otunba Femi Pedro, former Aviation Minister Femi Fani-Kayode, former Oyo First Lady Florence Ajimobi, ex-Lagos Commissioner Lola Akande, former Abia Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, and businessman-senator Jimoh Ibrahim.
Others include Barrister Ogbonnaya Kalu, former Katsina Speaker Tasiu Musa Maigari, Plateau political figure Yakubu N. Gambo, ex-UBEC deputy executive secretary, and former envoy to the Vatican, Ambassador Paul Oga Adikwu.
The submission comes one week after President Tinubu forwarded three earlier nominees which are Ambassador Ayodele Oke, Ambassador Amin Mohammed Dalhatu, and retired Colonel Lateef Kayode Are who are being considered for postings to the UK, US, or France.
A statement from Presidential Adviser Bayo Onanuga confirmed that additional ambassadorial nominations will be announced in the coming days as the administration continues its diplomatic restructuring.
