Our Reporter, Abuja
The Senate on Thursday confirmed a new batch of ambassadorial nominees submitted by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, approving the appointments of several prominent Nigerians, including Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, immediate past Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC); Mrs. Chioma Ohakim, wife former governor of Imo State; former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode; and former Rivers State sole administrator, Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas.
At plenary, the upper chamber ratified a total of 64 nominations, made up of 34 career diplomats and 30 non-career ambassadorial nominees.
The confirmations followed the presentation and adoption of the report of the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, chaired by Senator Sani Bello (APC–Niger North). Bello informed the Senate that all the nominees were found qualified for the positions and that no credible petitions had been raised against them.
Other non-career ambassadors confirmed include former presidential aide Reno Omokri, businessman Jimoh Ibrahim, former Enugu State governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, former Abia State governor Okezie Ikpeazu, alongside other notable political figures and public servants.
Those confirmed into career diplomatic positions include experienced foreign service officers such as Arewa Esther, Adeola-Ibrahim Mopelola, Ramat Omonbolale, and several others with extensive backgrounds in bilateral and multilateral engagements.
Following the confirmation by voice vote, Senate President Godswill Akpabio congratulated the ambassador-designates and urged them to project Nigeria’s interests positively in their respective countries of assignment.
The confirmed nominees are expected to return to the State House for swearing-in by President Tinubu, after which they will be deployed to Nigeria’s diplomatic missions abroad.
President Tinubu had earlier forwarded the nominations to the Senate in batches, beginning with three names in late November, followed by an additional 32, and later a consolidated list totalling 65 nominees.
The ambassadorial list has generated mixed reactions nationwide. While opposition parties, including the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), raised concerns over some of the nominations — particularly that of Prof. Yakubu — supporters of the appointments maintain that the blend of seasoned career diplomats and experienced non-career appointees will strengthen Nigeria’s foreign policy execution and international standing.
