In a landmark plenary session on Thursday, the Nigerian Senate officially confirmed 64 ambassadorial designates, including high-profile political figures, technocrats, and career diplomats.
The confirmation followed a rigorous screening process and the subsequent presentation of a report by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, Senator Sani Bello (APC, Niger North). Presenting the report, Senator Bello said all the nominees were found worthy of their appointments without any petition against them.
The approved list features a mix of 34 career diplomats and 30 non-career nominees. Among the high-profile non-career designates are the former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Yakubu Mahmoud; controversial commentator Reno Omokri; and several former lawmakers including Senators Jimoh Ibrahim, Ita Enang, Grace Bent, and Nora Ladi Daduut.
The Senate also cleared Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, the former naval chief and immediate past sole administrator of Rivers State. Other notable names on the confirmed list include former Minister of Interior Abdulrahman Dambazau, former Minister of Health Femi Fani-Kayode, and former First Ladies Erelu Angela Adebayo (Ekiti), Florence Ajimobi (Oyo), and Chioma Ohakim (Imo).
Reflecting on the caliber of the nominees, the committee highlighted several standouts among the 34 career diplomats, including Sulu-Gambari Olatunji Ahmed from Kwara State, alongside Segun Ige and Odumah Yvonne Ehinosen from Edo State.
The screening process itself was marked by tradition and mutual respect. During the exercise, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim was the first to be invited as he was given a red carpet reception as a serving Senator and member of the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs.
Following the confirmation, Senate President Godswill Akpabio extended his congratulations to the new designates, setting high expectations for their service abroad. In his remarks after the confirmation, the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio who congratulated them, urge them represent the country well as good ambassadors of Nigeria in their respective countries, just as he pleaded with Senator Ibrahim not to forget, but to keep in touch as in order for the Senate to continuously tap from his knowledge and experience.
The confirmation of these 64 nominees marks the finalization of the largest batch of envoys sent to the Red Chamber by the current administration, aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s diplomatic presence globally.
