The Senate on Wednesday subjected three ambassadorial nominees to rigorous questioning before ultimately clearing them for appointment, following a tense but thorough screening session that focused heavily on issues of national security and professional competence.
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The nominees cleared by the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs are: former Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) and ex-Nigerian Ambassador to the Commonwealth Secretariat, London, Ayo Oke; career diplomat and former Nigerian Ambassador to South Korea, Amin Muhammad Dalhatu; and former Director-General of the State Security Service, Lateef Kayode Are.
The session gained intensity when Ayo Oke addressed controversies that had trailed his tenure at the NIA and publicly responded to allegations recently revived in the media and political discourse.
He began by thanking the Senate for the opportunity to present his case, specifically acknowledging Senators Seriake Dickson and Adams Oshiomhole for raising concerns he described as “already in the public domain.”
Seeking the committee’s permission to address these concerns, he stated that while he would not delve into sensitive operational matters, he was prepared to clarify key points.
Oke noted that between 2013 and 2017, under his leadership, the NIA recorded what he described as “unprecedented progress—organizational, operational, and infrastructural.” He highlighted, for instance, the construction of a state-of-the-art conference centre, built on what was previously an empty field at the time he assumed office.
He asserted that the agency achieved levels of operational and infrastructural excellence it had never attained in its three decades prior to his appointment.
Regarding the controversial covert operation associated with his tenure, Oke stated that the operation had the approval of two Presidents, emphasizing that his actions were taken strictly in service of national security.
Quoting author Philip Yancey on the unpredictability of life, he likened his ordeal to the biblical trials of Joseph, Job, Esther, and Ruth. He said he endured the turbulence with equanimity and faith, guided by three personal principles—God, country, and honour—which had anchored his 38-year career in public service.
Oke also disclosed the personal toll of the ordeal, including the death of his 86-year-old mother, which he attributed partly to the distress caused by “lies and damaging narratives” surrounding the case.
Committee members acknowledged the sensitivity of the issues raised and commended Oke for his candid responses.
The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, Senator Sani Bello, reminded all nominees to formally engage senators from their home states, noting that endorsement from at least two state senators remains a requirement for confirmation.
Despite the intensity of the session, committee members observed that all three nominees brought substantial credentials, including longstanding experience in public service, diplomacy, intelligence, and administration.
The committee concluded that the nominees possessed the requisite expertise, discipline, and professionalism to serve effectively as ambassadors. Senator Bello described President Bola Tinubu’s selections as “very good choices,” adding that the nominees had demonstrated competence and readiness for the responsibilities ahead.
At the end of deliberations, the committee unanimously recommended the Senate confirm all three nominees.
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