Several high-profile ambassadorial nominees including Reno Omokri, former INEC Chairman Mahmood Yakubu, and former Aviation Minister Femi Fani-Kayode appeared before the Senate on Thursday for screening at the National Assembly.
Also sighted at the complex were Senator Grace Bent, former Interior Minister Abdulrahman Dambazau, and former Enugu State Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi.
In attendance were two former ministers, a former Chief of Army Staff, serving ambassadors, and several former lawmakers. Others present included Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd.), Senator Ita Enang, and Senator Nora Daduut, among others.
After brief introductions, former ministers, ambassadors, and lawmakers were asked to “take a bow and leave,” in line with Senate tradition.
Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele defended the continued use of the “bow and go” privilege, saying it is reserved for individuals with verifiable service records. He explained that anyone who has previously served in the National Assembly automatically qualifies, as their public and legislative history is already well known to lawmakers.
Thursday’s session follows President Bola Tinubu’s submission of a 32-man ambassadorial list to the Senate on November 29 for confirmation. The nominees comprise 15 career ambassadors and 17 non-career ambassadors.
According to the Presidency, the envoys will be posted to countries where Nigeria maintains diplomatic relations, as well as international bodies such as the United Nations.
The list includes several prominent political figures. Four women were nominated as career ambassadors, while six feature among the non-career nominees.
Since its release, the list has attracted calls for scrutiny and criticism, particularly over the inclusion of former political office-holders.
FULL LIST: President Tinubu’s 32 ambassadorial nominees
Non-career ambassador nominees (17)
- Barr. Ogbonnaya Kalu – Abia
- Reno Omokri – Delta
- Prof. Mahmood Yakubu – Former INEC Chairman
- Erelu Angela Adebayo – Former Ekiti First Lady
- Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi – Former Enugu Governor
- Tasiu Musa Maigari – Former Speaker, Katsina Assembly
- Yakubu N. Gambo – Former Plateau Commissioner / Ex-UBEC Deputy Executive Secretary
- Prof. Nora Ladi Daduut – Former Senator, Plateau
- Otunba Femi Pedro – Former Lagos Deputy Governor
- Chief Femi Fani-Kayode – Former Aviation Minister, Osun
- Barr. Nkechi Linda Ufochukwu – Anambra
- Fatima Florence Ajimobi – Former Oyo First Lady
- Lola Akande – Former Lagos Commissioner
- Grace Bent – Former Senator, Adamawa
- Victor Okezie Ikpeazu – Former Abia Governor
- Senator Jimoh Ibrahim – Ondo
- Amb. Paul Oga Adikwu – Former Ambassador to the Holy See, Benue
Career ambassador nominees (15)
- 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
- Amb. Shehu Barde – Katsina
- Amb. Ahmed Mohammed Monguno – Borno
- Amb. Muhammad Saidu Dahiru – Kaduna
- Amb. Olatunji Ahmed Sulu Gambari – Kwara
- Amb. Wahab Adekola Akande – Osun
