The Senate has confirmed 64 ambassadorial nominees submitted by President Bola Tinubu, comprising 34 career diplomats and 30 non-career ambassadors.
The confirmation followed the adoption of a report by the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs at plenary on Thursday. Tinubu’s request for approval was formally presented to the Senate on December 4.
Presenting the report, committee chairman Senator Sani Bello said the nominees demonstrated strong knowledge of international diplomacy during the screening process and were found suitable for the roles.
Among the confirmed non-career ambassadors are former Abia State Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, former ministers Olufemi Fani-Kayode and Prof. Isaac Adewole, ex-presidential aide Reno Omokri, retired Lt.-Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau, Senator Grace Bent, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, and former Akwa Ibom lawmaker Ita Enang.
The Senate commended the Foreign Affairs Committee for its work and urged the confirmed ambassadors to project Nigeria’s image positively abroad.
During the session, Senator Sahabi Ya’u (Zamfara North) raised concerns over federal character, noting that Zamfara State was not represented on the list. Citing constitutional provisions, he urged that the omission be addressed.
In response, Senate President Godswill Akpabio acknowledged the concern and assured lawmakers that additional nominations would be forwarded, stressing that no state would be excluded from future appointments.
Nigeria maintains diplomatic missions across the world, including resident and non-resident postings, with further ambassadorial appointments expected in the coming months.
