The Nigerian Senate on Thursday confirmed 64 ambassadorial nominees forwarded by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, including prominent political figures Femi Fani-Kayode, a former Minister of Aviation, and Reno Omokri, a former presidential assistant.
The confirmation followed the adoption of a report by the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, which stated that all nominees had been thoroughly screened and found qualified, suitable, and free of disqualifying issues.
The approval exercise came 48 hours after the Senate had earlier confirmed three non-career ambassadors—Lateef Kayode Are (Ogun State), Aminu Dalhatu (Jigawa State), and Emmanuel Ayodele Oke (Oyo State)—bringing the total number of ambassadors confirmed this week to 67.
High-Profile Names on the List
Among those cleared by the Senate are several former top public officials, including:
-
Femi Fani-Kayode – former Minister of Aviation
-
Reno Omokri – former Special Adviser on New Media to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan
-
Abdulrahman Dambazau – former Minister of Interior
-
Ita Enang – former presidential aide
-
Grace Bent – former senator
-
Mahmood Yakubu – former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)
-
Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi – former Governor of Enugu State
-
Okezie Ikpeazu – former Governor of Abia State
The list also features former lawmakers, governors, senior civil servants, and seasoned diplomats drawn from across the country.
Career and Non-Career Breakdown
In all, the confirmed nominees comprise:
-
34 career ambassadors and high commissioners, drawn from the Nigerian Foreign Service, and
-
30 non-career ambassadors and high commissioners, including political appointees and former public office holders.
Presenting the committee’s report, Senator Sani Bello (APC, Niger North), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, said the screening process revealed that none of the nominees had petitions or adverse reports against them.
According to him, all nominees were found worthy of confirmation based on their qualifications, experience, integrity, and conduct.
Senate Dismisses Allegations, Charges Envoys
The confirmation came days after the Senate dismissed claims circulating on social media alleging that petitions had been submitted against some nominees, including Fani-Kayode and Omokri, describing such reports as false and misleading.
In his remarks, Senate President, Godswill Akpabio congratulated the newly confirmed ambassadors and urged them to project Nigeria’s image positively, protect national interests, and strengthen diplomatic relations in their respective countries of assignment.
With the confirmations concluded, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is expected to proceed with the deployment of the ambassadors to Nigeria’s diplomatic missions worldwide, filling long-standing vacancies and boosting Nigeria’s foreign engagements.