The Senate has confirmed the appointment of 64 additional ambassadorial nominees, bringing the total number of ambassadors approved so far to 67, following the earlier confirmation of three non-career nominees.
Of the newly confirmed nominees, 34 are career diplomats, while 30 are non-career ambassadors.
Among the confirmed career ambassadors are Arewa Esther (Oyo State), Adeola-Ibrahim Mopelola (Ogun), Ramat Omonbolale (Lagos), Monica Okechukwu Enebechi (Anambra), Adams Jane Basset (Cross River), Mohammed Lele (Bauchi) and Muhammad Dahiru (Kaduna). Others include seasoned diplomats such as Nwaobiala Chukwuemeka (Abia), Ahmed Monguno (Borno), Ramat Mohammed Omobolanle (Lagos) and Danladi Yakubu Nyaku (Taraba).
The list of confirmed non-career ambassadors features Ajimobi Florence (Oyo), Sulola Akande (Oyo), Uguwanyi Ifeanyi (Enugu), Ita Enang (Akwa Ibom), Olufemi Fani-Kayode (Osun), Jerry Manwe (Taraba), Reno Omokri (Delta), Ibas Ibok-Ette (Cross River), Abdulrahman Dambazau (Kano) and Abas Braimah (Edo), among others.
The confirmation followed the presentation and adoption of the report of the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs during plenary in the Committee of the Whole.
President Bola Tinubu had transmitted the list of nominees to the Senate in a letter read at plenary on December 4, as part of efforts to reposition Nigeria’s diplomatic service and strengthen its global engagement.
Presenting the committee’s report, its chairman, Senator Abubakar Sani Bello (APC, Niger East), said the nominees displayed strong competence and preparedness during the screening exercise.
“During screening, the nominees demonstrated a deep understanding of global affairs and Nigeria’s strategic interests,” Bello said.
He explained that the career ambassadors were drawn from diverse professional backgrounds to ensure continuity within the foreign service and strengthen Nigeria’s bilateral and multilateral relations.
The non-career ambassadors, he noted, include politicians, retired senior military officers, academics and public servants such as Senator Grace Bent (Adamawa), Dr Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia) and Lt-Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau (rtd) (Kano), bringing political and administrative experience to Nigeria’s diplomatic engagements.
The confirmations are expected to accelerate the deployment of ambassadors to Nigeria’s embassies and missions worldwide, enhance participation in global decision-making, deepen bilateral ties and support trade and investment initiatives.
Analysts say the mix of career diplomats and public figures aligns with President Tinubu’s vision to strengthen Nigeria’s foreign policy framework, project the country as a credible global actor and expand its diplomatic and economic influence.
