The Senate on Thursday confirmed a fresh batch of ambassadorial nominees forwarded by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, including prominent figures such as Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, the immediate past Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC); Femi Fani-Kayode, former Minister of Aviation; and Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, former sole administrator of Rivers State.
In plenary, the Senate approved a total of 64 ambassadorial appointments, comprising 34 career diplomats and 30 non-career envoy-designates.
The decision followed the presentation and adoption of the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs’ report by its chairman, Senator Sani Bello (APC–Niger North), who told lawmakers that all nominees “were found worthy of their appointments” and that there were no substantive disqualifying petitions.
Among the non-career ambassadors confirmed alongside Yakubu, Fani-Kayode and Ibas were former presidential adviser Reno Omokri, Jimoh Ibrahim, former governors Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu) and Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia), as well as other high-profile politicians and public servants.
Career diplomatic posts went to seasoned foreign service officers such as Arewa Esther, Adeola-Ibrahim Mopelola, Ramat Omonbolale, and others with varied experience in bilateral and multilateral diplomacy.
Senate President Urges Strong Representation Abroad
After the voice vote confirmation, Senate President Godswill Akpabio congratulated the ambassador-designates, encouraging them to “represent Nigeria well” in their respective missions around the world.
Officials said the confirmed nominees will now return to the State House for swearing-in by President Tinubu, who will subsequently deploy them to various countries where Nigeria maintains diplomatic relations.
President Tinubu had earlier transmitted multiple batches of names to the Senate. Starting in late November, he first sent three nominees, followed by an expanded list of 32, and later a combined list amounting to 65 names for confirmation.
The nominations drew mixed reactions across Nigeria’s political spectrum. Some parties — including the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) — criticized aspects of the list, questioning selections such as that of Prof. Yakubu on ethical grounds and calling for reconsideration.
Proponents of the appointments, however, argued that the mix of career diplomats and experienced non-career figures will help enhance Nigeria’s international profile, boost bilateral engagements, and drive foreign policy priorities.
