Tinubu Nominates Fani-Kayode, Omokri, Ex-Governors in Second Ambassadorial Batch

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has submitted the names of 32 additional ambassadorial nominees to the Senate for confirmation, just days after sending an initial list of three.

The new list, communicated to Senate President Godswill Akpabio in two separate letters, comprises 15 career ambassadors and 17 non-career ambassadors, bringing the total nominees awaiting confirmation to 35.

Presidential media aide Bayo Onanuga stated that the President urged the Senate to give the nominations “expeditious consideration.” The nominees are slated for deployment to key diplomatic missions, including countries with which Nigeria maintains strategic relations such as China, Canada, the UAE, and the United Nations.

The non-career category features a significant number of high-profile political figures and former office holders. Notable names include former Aviation Minister Chief Femi Fani-Kayode (Osun), former Presidential Aide Reno Omokri (Delta), immediate past INEC Chairman Prof. Mahmud Yakubu (Bauchi), former Enugu Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, and former Abia Governor Dr. Victor Okezie Ikpeazu. Other prominent nominees are former Lagos Deputy Governor Otunba Femi Pedro, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim (Ondo), former Ekiti First Lady Erelu Angela Adebayo, and former Oyo First Lady Fatima Florence Ajimobi. The non-career list also includes six women, demonstrating a level of gender inclusion in the nominations.

The list of career ambassador and high commissioner designates consists of 15 experienced diplomats, including four women, who are expected to fill key posts abroad. Among them are Enebechi Monica Okwuchukwu (Abia), Yakubu Nyaku Danladi (Taraba), and Mopelola Adeola-Ibrahim (Ogun).

They are joined by several current ambassadors who are likely being nominated for redeployment, such as Ambassador Ahmed Mohammed Monguno (Borno) and Ambassador Shehu Barde (Katsina).

All nominees will receive their specific diplomatic assignments only after they have been successfully confirmed by the Senate.