JUST IN: Tinubu Sends Ugwuanyi, Ikpeazu, Fani-Kayode and 29 Others to Senate for Ambassadorial Confirmation (Full List)

President Bola Tinubu has forwarded a second and larger batch of ambassadorial nominees to the Senate, sending 32 additional names for confirmation just days after submitting an initial list of three. The development was disclosed in a statement issued by his media aide, Bayo Onanuga.

In two letters addressed to Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Tinubu requested swift consideration and confirmation of 15 career diplomats and 17 non-career nominees. The lists include four women among the career nominees and six among the non-career category.

Notable non-career nominees include Barrister Ogbonnaya Kalu from Abia, former presidential aide Reno Omokri, former INEC Chairman Mahmud Yakubu, former Ekiti First Lady Erelu Angela Adebayo, and former Enugu Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi. Others named are former Katsina House of Assembly Speaker Tasiu Musa Maigari; former Plateau Commissioner Yakubu N. Gambo; former Plateau senator Professor Nora Ladi Daduut; former Lagos deputy governor Otunba Femi Pedro; former aviation minister Femi Fani-Kayode; Barrister Nkechi Linda Ufochukwu from Anambra; former Oyo First Lady Fatima Florence Ajimobi; former Lagos commissioner Lola Akande; former Adamawa senator Grace Bent; former Abia governor Victor Okezie Ikpeazu; Senator Jimoh Ibrahim from Ondo; and former envoy to the Holy See, Ambassador Paul Oga Adikwu.

The career list features 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), Ambassador Shehu Barde (Katsina), Ambassador Ahmed Mohammed Monguno (Borno), Ambassador Muhammad Saidu Dahiru (Kaduna), Ambassador Olatunji Ahmed Sulu Gambari (Kwara), and Ambassador Wahab Adekola Akande (Osun).

According to the Presidency, the envoys will be assigned to countries with which Nigeria maintains key diplomatic and strategic ties, including China, India, South Korea, Canada, Mexico, the UAE, Qatar, South Africa, and Kenya, as well as multilateral missions such as the UN, UNESCO, and the African Union. Postings will be finalised after Senate confirmation.

The President’s earlier list included Ambassador Ayodele Oke (Oyo), Ambassador Amin Mohammed Dalhatu (Jigawa), and Retired Colonel Lateef Kayode Are (Ogun), who are being considered for postings to the UK, USA, or France. Tinubu indicated that more nominations will follow.

In 2023, Nigeria withdrew all its envoys from 109 foreign missions as part of an overhaul of diplomatic operations. The recall, ordered by Tinubu, affected both career and non-career ambassadors. The process came amid reports that diplomats had been struggling with unpaid allowances and financial constraints at various missions.

Foreign Affairs Minister Yusuf Tuggar later attributed the delay in appointing new ambassadors to the economic challenges facing the administration.