President Bola Tinubu has forwarded a fresh batch of 32 ambassadorial nominees to the Nigerian Senate for screening and confirmation, expanding the diplomatic shake-up he began earlier in the week. This new list, which complements the initial set of three nominees, features a mix of high-profile political figures, former governors, ex-ministers, and seasoned diplomats — a line-up signaling a major strategic overhaul of Nigeria’s foreign missions.
In a statement released by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President split the nominees into 15 career diplomats and 17 non-career ambassadors. The statement emphasized gender inclusion, noting that four women appear on the career list while six women made the non-career list.
Among the most notable nominees is Mahmud Yakubu, the former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), whose name stirred immediate nationwide attention. Also on the roster is Reno Omokri, a former aide to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, representing Delta State, alongside Femi Fani-Kayode, ex-Minister of Aviation, known for his fiery political commentary. Former Enugu State Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi and former Lagos Deputy Governor Femi Pedro also feature prominently.
The non-career list stretches across Nigeria’s political and public service landscape, including:
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Ogbonnaya Kalu – Abia
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Erelu Adebayo – former First Lady of Ekiti
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Tasiu Musa Maigari – ex-Speaker, Katsina House of Assembly
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Yakubu N. Gambo – former Plateau Commissioner
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Prof. Nora Ladi Daduut – former Senator, Plateau
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Nkechi Ufochukwu – Anambra
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Fatima Florence Ajimobi – former Oyo First Lady
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Lola Akande – ex-Lagos Commissioner
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Sen. Grace Bent – Adamawa
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Victor Okezie Ikpeazu – former Governor of Abia
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Sen. Jimoh Ibrahim – Ondo
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Amb. Paul Oga Adikwu – former envoy to the Vatican
The career diplomat nominees include:
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Enebechi Monica Okwuchukwu – Abia
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Yakubu Nyaku Danladi – Taraba
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Miamuna Ibrahim Besto – Adamawa
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Musa Musa Abubakar – Kebbi
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Syndoph Paebi Endoni – Bayelsa
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Chima Geoffrey Lioma David – Ebonyi
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Mopelola Adeola-Ibrahim – Ogun
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Abimbola Samuel Reuben – Ondo
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Yvonne Ehinosen Odumah – Edo
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Hamza Mohammed Salau – Niger
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Amb. Shehu Barde – Katsina
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Amb. Ahmed Mohammed Monguno – Borno
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Amb. Muhammad Saidu Dahiru – Kaduna
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Amb. Olatunji Ahmed Sulu Gambari – Kwara
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Amb. Wahab Adekola Akande – Osun
According to the Presidency, the nominees will be posted to nations with which Nigeria maintains “excellent and strategic bilateral ties,” including China, India, South Korea, Canada, Mexico, UAE, Qatar, South Africa, Kenya, as well as key multilateral missions such as the United Nations, UNESCO, and the African Union. Their specific postings will only be determined after Senate confirmation.
This move is part of a staggered release of ambassadorial lists, reportedly designed to align Nigeria’s diplomatic appointments with evolving foreign-policy priorities. The first batch — Ambassador Ayodele Oke, Ambassador Amin Mohammed Dalhatu, and Col. Lateef Kayode Are (Rtd.) — are believed to be candidates for high-influence postings in the UK, USA, or France.
More names are expected in the coming weeks as President Tinubu restructures Nigeria’s global diplomatic footprint to match what insiders describe as a “performance-driven foreign policy strategy.”