The Nigerian Senate, on Thursday, December 18, 2025, confirmed the appointment of 64 ambassadorial nominees forwarded by President Bola Tinubu. This comprises 34 career ambassadors and high commissioners, and 30 non-career ambassadors and high commissioners, bringing the total confirmed envoys (including a prior batch of three non-career nominees screened earlier in the week) to 67.

The confirmation followed the presentation and adoption of a report by the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, chaired by Senator Sani Bello (APC, Niger North). Senator Bello noted that all nominees were screened, found worthy, and had no petitions against them. The process followed earlier screenings where high-profile figures received expedited treatment, such as Senator Jimoh Ibrahim (a serving senator on the Foreign Affairs Committee), who was given a “red carpet” reception and allowed to “take a bow and go.”

Notable remarks came from Senate President Godswill Akpabio, who congratulated the nominees, urging them to represent Nigeria creditably abroad. He specifically appealed to Senator Ibrahim to maintain ties with the Senate for ongoing input from his expertise.

During plenary, Senator Sahabi Yau highlighted the absence of any nominee from Zamfara State, prompting Akpabio to assure that the list was not exhaustive, more nominations were expected, and Zamfara would be included in future batches.

Key Non-Career Nominees Confirmed (from the 30):

These include prominent political, military, and public figures:

  • Senator Jimoh Ibrahim (APC, Ondo South; businessman and lawyer).
  • Prof. Mahmood Yakubu (immediate past INEC Chairman).
  • Senator Ita Enang (Akwa Ibom).
  • Reno Omokri (former presidential aide; Delta).
  • Senator Grace Bent (Adamawa).
  • Senator Prof. Nora Ladi Daduut (Plateau).
  • Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (former Rivers Sole Administrator and ex-Naval Chief; Cross River).
  • Chioma Ohakim (former Imo First Lady; note: mentioned twice in some reports, likely a duplication).
  • Lt. Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau (former Interior Minister and Army Chief; Kano).
  • Femi Fani-Kayode (former Aviation Minister; Osun).
  • Erelu Angela Adebayo (Ekiti).
  • Florence (Fatima) Ajimobi (widow of former Oyo Governor; Oyo).
  • Others: Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (former Enugu Governor), Okezie Ikpeazu (former Abia Governor), Femi Pedro (former Lagos Deputy Governor), Lola Akande (former Lagos Commissioner), Tasiu Musa Maigari (former Katsina Assembly Speaker), Yakubu N. Gambo (former Plateau Commissioner and ex-UBEC Deputy Exec Sec), Ogbonnaya Kalu (Abia), and more.

Notable Career Nominees (from the 34):

  • Sulu-Gambari Olatunji Ahmed (Kwara).
  • Segun Ige (Edo).
  • Odumah Yvonne Ehinosen (Edo).
  • Others include: Enebechi Monica Okwuchukwu (Abia), Yakubu Nyaku Danladi (Taraba), Miamuna Ibrahim Besto (Adamawa), Musa Abubakar (Kebbi), Syndoph Paebi Endoni (Bayelsa), Chima Geoffrey Lioma David (Ebonyi), Mopelola Adeola-Ibrahim (Ogun), Arewa Esther (Oyo), Ramat Omonbolale (Lagos), Monica Okechukwu Enebechi (Anambra), Adams Jane Basset (Cross River), Mohammed Lele (Bauchi), Muhammad Dahiru (Kaduna), and Ahmed Mohammed Monguno (Borno).

This batch follows an initial confirmation of three non-career nominees on December 16 (Ayodele Oke, Lateef Kayode Are, and Aminu Dalhatu). The nominees, drawn from diverse states and backgrounds, are expected to be posted to strategic missions like the UN, China, India, UAE, and others. Postings will be announced later by the presidency.

The exercise has drawn some criticism, including from the African Democratic Congress (ADC), for perceived “trivialization” via quick “bow and go” clearances for high-profile names. However, the Senate emphasized merit and no adverse findings.

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