The Senate on Thursday approved 64 ambassadorial nominees from President Bola Tinubu, which includes former Minister of Aviation Femi Fani-Kayode and ex-presidential aide Reno Omokri.
The affirmation came after the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs reviewed and approved a report stating that all the nominees had been evaluated and deemed appropriate for appointment.
The activity occurred 48 hours after the Senate approved three non-career ambassadorial nominees—Lateef Kayode Are (Ogun State), Aminu Dalhatu (Jigawa State), and Emmanuel Ayodele Oke (Oyo State)—raising the total confirmed ambassadors to 67.
Included in those exonerated on Thursday were a former Minister of Interior, Abdulrahman Dambazau; a previous Special Adviser on New Media to former President Goodluck Jonathan, Reno Omokri; a past presidential aide, Ita Enang; and a former senator, Grace Bent.
Others consist of a past Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Mahmood Yakubu; a past Governor of Enugu State, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi; and a past Governor of Abia State, Okezie Ikpeazu.
The total confirmed nominees include 34 career ambassadors and high commissioners, along with 30 non-career ambassadors and high commissioners.
In presenting the committee’s report, its chairman, Senator Sani Bello (APC, Niger North), stated that there were no petitions against any of the nominees and affirmed that all were deemed qualified based on their experience, qualifications, and conduct.
In his speech, the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, commended the appointees and encouraged them to positively represent Nigeria in their various roles.
Days after the Senate dismissed allegations shared on social media regarding petitions filed against certain nominees, including Fani-Kayode and Omokri, the confirmation was received.
Senate spokesperson Senator Yemi Adaramodu stated that the upper chamber did not receive any petitions or formal complaints, emphasizing that the screening process included thorough discussions with the nominees rather than simply being a “take a bow and go” affair.
In an interview, he stated, “I’m informing you that we have not received petitions from any individual, organization, or legal entity.” Not even from any nameless, illegal, and rebellious force. “No objections were raised against any nominee.”
On December 4, Tinubu sent an enlarged list of 65 nominees for ambassadorial positions to the Senate to address long-unfilled diplomatic roles and reconfigure Nigeria’s foreign missions.
The transmission came after several months of postponement following the recall of all Nigerian diplomats in 2023, sparking discussions about Nigeria’s diplomatic presence overseas.
Now that the confirmations are finalized, the appointed ambassadors are anticipated to be assigned to important global capitals and international organizations in accordance with Nigeria’s foreign policy objectives.
