Nigeria’s President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has submitted a new list of 32 ambassadorial nominees to the Senate for confirmation.
The list includes several high-profile political figures and former public office holders, among them are, Reno Omokri (former presidential aide), Mahmood Yakubu ( immediate past chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)), Femi Fani-Kayode ( former aviation minister), Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi ( former governor of Enugu State), Victor Okezie Ikpeazu (former governor of Abia State), Jimoh Ibrahim (serving senator from Ondo State), Angela Adebayo (former First Lady of Ekiti State), Fatima Florence Ajimobi ( former First Lady of Oyo State), Grace Bent (former senator), Femi Pedro (former deputy governor of Lagos State).
Others on the list include former commissioners, former lawmakers, diplomats, and technocrats from across the country.
Presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga said the nominees are expected to be deployed to countries with which Nigeria maintains strong strategic and economic ties, including China, India, South Korea, Canada, Mexico, the UAE, Qatar, South Africa, and Kenya. Some will also be posted to Nigeria’s permanent missions at the United Nations, UNESCO, and the African Union.
Their specific postings will be announced after Senate approval.
Last week, President Tinubu forwarded the names of three nominees, Ayodele Oke, Amin Mohammed Dalhatu, and Kayode Are who are being considered for ambassadorial positions in the United Kingdom, the United States, and France.
The latest nominations are part of the administration’s efforts to overhaul Nigeria’s diplomatic representation abroad.