By Ghazali Ibrahim
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has forwarded a fresh list of 65 ambassadorial nominees to the Senate for confirmation, with prominent names including Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd.), state administrator of Rivers State, retired service chiefs, and several technocrats.
The list, which comprises 34 career diplomats and 31 non-career nominees, was read on the Senate floor on Thursday, December 4, 2025.
It marks another step in the administration’s effort to restore Nigeria’s diplomatic presence globally, following the 2023 withdrawal of all ambassadors for performance review.
Among the high-profile nominees are Lt. Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau (rtd.), former Chief of Army Staff and Minister of Interior, and Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd.), former Chief of Naval Staff.
Also on the list is Brig. Gen. Anthony Ukpo (rtd.), a former military administrator of Rivers State.
President Tinubu, in his accompanying letter, urged the Senate to give the nominees expeditious consideration to enable Nigeria re-establish active representation in key countries and international organisations.
The list has been referred to the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs for screening.
However, concerns have been raised in some quarters over political patronage, as the balance between career diplomats and political appointees continues to be debated.
If confirmed, the nominees will be posted to strategic missions including the United States, China, Canada, the United Arab Emirates, and multilateral organisations such as the United Nations and African Union.
