President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has forwarded a new batch of 32 ambassadorial nominees to the Senate, following the recent submission of three candidates.
In letters to Senate President Godswill Akpabio, the President urged lawmakers to promptly review and approve the 15 career diplomats and 17 non-career nominees.
The announcement was confirmed on Saturday by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy.
Among the nominees, four women are included in the career ambassadorial list, while six women appear in the non-career category.
Prominent figures in the non-career group include Barrister Ogbonnaya Kalu (Abia), former presidential aide Reno Omokri (Delta), ex-INEC Chairman Mahmud Yakubu, former Ekiti First Lady Erelu Angela Adebayo, and former Enugu Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi. Other notable names are former Katsina House of Assembly Speaker Tasiu Musa Maigari, former Plateau State Commissioner Yakubu N. Gambo, and ex-Deputy Executive Secretary of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC).
Additional distinguished nominees include Professor Nora Ladi Daduut (former Plateau senator), Otunba Femi Pedro (former Lagos deputy governor), Chief Femi Fani-Kayode (former Aviation Minister, Osun), Barrister Nkechi Linda Ufochukwu (Anambra), former First Lady of Oyo, Fatima Florence Ajimobi, former Lagos Commissioner Lola Akande, former Adamawa Senator Grace Bent, former Abia Governor Victor Okezie Ikpeazu, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim (Ondo), and former Ambassador to the Holy See, Paul Oga Adikwu (Benue).
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The career ambassador and high commissioner nominees feature 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), Shehu Barde (Katsina), Ahmed Mohammed Monguno (Borno), Muhammad Saidu Dahiru (Kaduna), Olatunji Ahmed Sulu Gambari (Kwara), and Wahab Adekola Akande (Osun).
The nominees are expected to be posted to countries with strategic bilateral relations, including China, India, South Korea, Canada, Mexico, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, South Africa, and Kenya, as well as Permanent Missions to the United Nations, UNESCO, and the African Union. Their specific assignments will be confirmed after Senate approval.
Last week, President Tinubu had sent three ambassadorial nominees, Ambassador Ayodele Oke (Oyo), Ambassador Amin Mohammed Dalhatu (Jigawa), and Retired Colonel Lateef Kayode Are (Ogun)—for Senate screening.
They are expected to be posted to key countries such as the United Kingdom, United States, or France upon confirmation.
President Tinubu noted that additional ambassadorial nominations would be announced in the coming weeks.
