President Bola Tinubu sent 65 names for ambassadorial posts to the Senate in Abuja on Thursday, launching a major diplomatic shake-up. The batch includes 34 career diplomats and 31 non-career figures, with screenings set to begin next week. The Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs must wrap up its review within seven days.
The overhaul fills a two-year gap in Nigeria’s foreign missions, strained by budget woes and political delays. Officials earmarked N53 billion in 2024 for repairs to 103 embassies, though experts say nearly $1 billion is needed for full fixes across 109 sites. These voids have weakened trade ties, left citizens unprotected abroad, and opened doors to security risks.
Senate leaders vowed a no-nonsense probe, demanding picks prove their patriotism over party loyalty. Three opposition voices stressed integrity in a process often tainted by patronage. The first three nominees—Kayode Are from Ogun, Aminu Dalhatu from Jigawa, and Ayodele Oke from Oyo—faced questions on Wednesday, with Oke tackling old allegations head-on.
Career nominees hail from states like Abia, Adamawa, and Borno. They include:
– Ezenwa Chukwuemeka (Abia)
– Maimuna Ibrahim (Adamawa)
– Monica Ogochukwu (Anambra)
– Mohammed Mahmoud Lele (Bauchi)
– Endoni Sindo (Bayelsa)
– Ahmed Mohammed Monguno (Borno)
– Jane Adams Okon Michael (Cross River)
– Clark Omeruo Alexandra (Delta)
– Chimma Geoffrey Davies (Ebonyi)
– Oduma Yvonne Ehinose (Edo)
– Wasa Segun Ige (Edo)
– Adeyemi Adebayo Emmanuel (Ekiti)
– Onaga Ogechukwu Kingsley (Enugu)
– Magaji Umar (Jigawa)
– Mohammed Saidu Dahiru (Kaduna)
– AbdulSalam Abus Zayat (Kano)
– Shehu Barde (Katsina)
– Aminu Nasiu (Katsina)
– Abubakar Musa Musa (Kebbi)
– Mohammed Idris (Kebbi)
– Bako Adamu Umar (Kogi)
– Sulu-Gambari Olatunji Ahmed (Kwara)
– Ramata Mohammed (Lagos)
– Shaga John Shama (Nasarawa)
– Salau Hamza Mohammed (Niger)
– Ibrahim Danlami (Niger)
– Adeola Ibrahim Mopelola (Ogun)
– Ruben Abimbola Samuel (Ondo)
– Akande Wahab Adekola (Osun)
– Adedokun Esther (Oyo)
– Gedagi Joseph John (Plateau)
– Luther Obomode Ayokalata (Rivers)
– Danladi Yakubu Yaku (Taraba)
– Bello Dogondaji (Zamfara)
Non-career picks feature ex-leaders and influencers from Adamawa to Yobe. They include:
– Senator Grace Bent (Adamawa)
– Senator Ita Enang (Akwa Ibom)
– Nkechi Linda Okocha (Anambra)
– Mahmud Yakubu (Bauchi)
– Philip K. Ikurusi (Bayelsa)
– Paul Oga Adikwu (Benue)
– Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.) (Cross River)
– Abasi Braimah (Edo)
– Erelu Angela Adebayo (Ekiti)
– Barr. Olumilua Oluwayimika Ayotunwa (Ekiti)
– Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu)
– Chioma Ohakim (Imo)
– Lt. Gen. Abdulrahman Bello Dambazau (retd.) (Kano)
– Tasiu Musa Maigari (Katsina)
– Alhaji Abubakar Sanusi Aliyu (Kogi)
– Olufemi Pedro (Lagos)
– Barr. Mohammed Ubandoma Aliyu (Nasarawa)
– Senator Jimoh Ibrahim (Ondo)
– Ambassador Joseph Sola Iji (Ondo)
– Fani-Kayode (Osun)
– Professor O. Adewole (Osun)
– Florence Ajimobi (Oyo)
– Lola Akande (Oyo)
– Professor Nora Ladi Daduut (Plateau)
– Yakubu N. Gambo (Plateau)
– Chukwujinka Okocha (Rivers)
– Haruna Abubakar (Sokoto)
– Jerry Samuel Manwe (Taraba)
– Adamu Garba Talba (Yobe)
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar blasted one choice—Mahmud Yakubu, ex-INEC chair—as a slap to democracy. “Under no circumstance would I nominate the immediate past INEC Chairman for an ambassadorial position,” Atiku posted on X, calling it indefensible after the 2023 polls. Unconfirmed reports claim Adamu Garba Talba from Yobe died five months ago.
This wave of envoys could mend Nigeria’s frayed global threads, but the Senate’s grill promises sparks. Families abroad, adrift without strong voices, deserve reps who fight for them with honour, not echoes of old favours.
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