By Correspondent in Abuja.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has forwarded the names of 32 ambassadorial nominees to the Senate for confirmation, signaling a major diplomatic shake-up in Nigeria’s foreign service.
The President’s request is contained in two separate letters addressed to Senate President Godswill Akpabio, urging the lawmakers to consider and confirm the nominees without delay.
According to the correspondence, the President is seeking approval for 15 career ambassadors and 17 non-career ambassadors. The list also reflects gender inclusion, with 10 women nominated—four among the career ambassadors and six among their non-career counterparts.
Prominent names on the non-career list include former Minister of Aviation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode; author and political commentator, Reno Omokri; former INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu; former Enugu State governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi; former Lagos deputy governor, Otunba Femi Pedro; and Fatima Ajimobi, widow of former Oyo State governor Abiola Ajimobi.
Below is the full list as sent to the Senate:
Non-Career Ambassadors (17 Nominees)
Barrister Ogbonnaya Kalu (Abia)
Reno Omokri (Delta)
Prof. Mahmood Yakubu (Bauchi)
Erelu Bisi Angela Adebayo (Ekiti)
Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu)
Tasiu Musa Maigari (Katsina)
Yakubu N. Gambo (Plateau)
Prof. Nora Ladi Daduut (Plateau)
Otunba Femi Pedro (Lagos)
Chief Femi Fani-Kayode (Osun)
Barr. Nkechi Linda Ufochukwu (Anambra)
Fatima Florence Ajimobi (Oyo)
Lola Akande (Lagos)
Grace Bent (Adamawa)
Dr. Victor Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia)
Senator Jimoh Ibrahim (Ondo)
Ambassador Paul Oga Adikwu (Benue)
Career Ambassadors (15 Nominees)
Enebechi Monica Okwuchukwu (Abia)
Yakubu Nyaku Danladi (Taraba)
Miamuna Ibrahim Besto (Adamawa)
Musa Musa Abubakar (Kebbi)
Syndoph Paebi Endoni (Bayelsa)
Chima Geoffrey Lioma David (Ebonyi)
Mopelola Adeola-Ibrahim (Ogun)
Abimbola Samuel Reuben (Ondo)
Yvonne Ehinosen Odumah (Edo)
Hamza Mohammed Salau (Niger)
Ambassador Shehu Barde (Katsina)
Ambassador Ahmed Mohammed Monguno (Borno)
Ambassador Muhammad Saidu Dahiru (Kaduna)
Ambassador Olatunji Ahmed Sulu Gambari (Kwara)
Ambassador Wahab Adekola Akande (Osun)
Edited by Dada Ahmed.
