Mahmood Yakubu, Ikpeazu, Ugwuanyi, Jimoh Ibrahim, Pedro, Fani-Kayode, Omokri, Ajimobi’s Widow Among 32 Additional Ambassadorial Nominees

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has forwarded a second batch of ambassadorial nominees to the Senate, bringing the total number of new diplomatic candidates to 35 within a week. The latest list, sent in two separate letters to Senate President Godswill Akpabio, contains 32 names, made up of 15 career diplomats and 17 non-career nominees.

The President urged the Senate to give the nominations “expeditious consideration and confirmation,” noting that the appointees will be deployed to countries and multilateral missions that hold strategic importance for Nigeria, including China, India, Canada, the UAE, South Africa, and the United Nations.

The non-career nominees feature several prominent political figures and former public officials. Among them are former INEC chairman Mahmud Yakubu, former Enugu State governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi,  former Abia governor Okezie Ikpeazu, former Lagos deputy governor Otunba Femi Pedro,  former aviation minister Femi Fani-Kayode, and former presidential aide Reno Omokri.

Also nominated are former Oyo First Lady Florence Ajimobi, former Lagos commissioner Lola Akande, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, former Plateau senator Nora Ladi Daduut, and former Nigerian ambassador to the Holy See Paul Oga Adikwu.

The group includes representation from across the federation, with six women nominated as non-career envoys.

The 15 career nominees include Enebechi Monica Okwuchukwu (Abia), Yakubu Nyaku Danladi (Taraba), Miamuna Ibrahim Besto (Adamawa), Musa Musa Abubakar (Kebbi), and Syndoph Paebi Endoni (Bayelsa). Others are Chima Geoffrey Lioma David (Ebonyi), Mopelola Adeola-Ibrahim (Ogun), Abimbola Samuel Reuben (Ondo), Yvonne Ehinosen Odumah (Edo), Hamza Mohammed Salau (Niger), and three serving ambassadors—Shehu Barde, Ahmed Mohammed Monguno, Muhammad Saidu Dahiru, Olatunji Ahmed Sulu Gambari, and Wahab Adekola Akande, slated for redeployment.

The submission follows last week’s transmission of three top-level nominees: Ambassador Ayodele Oke (Oyo), Ambassador Amin Mohammed Dalhatu (Jigawa), and retired Colonel Lateef Kayode Are (Ogun). They are expected to be considered for postings to major diplomatic missions in the UK, USA or France.

Once confirmed, the new nominees will fill key positions in Nigeria’s foreign service, with postings determined after Senate approval.

Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, who made the announcement in a press release, said more nominations were expected in the coming days.