KEY POINTS
- Senate confirms 64 ambassadors covering career and non-career appointments.
- Federal character principle to guide subsequent ambassadorial nominations.
- Ambassadors urged to promote Nigeria’s image and diplomatic presence abroad.
The Nigerian Senate on Thursday confirmed 64 ambassadorial nominees, including 34 career diplomats and 30 non-career appointees, following the presentation of the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs report. The confirmation marks a significant step in staffing Nigeria’s diplomatic missions globally.
President Bola Tinubu’s letter seeking confirmation of the ambassadors had been read in the Senate on Dec. 4. During the committee’s review, Chairman Senator Sani Bello said nominees demonstrated deep knowledge of international diplomacy.
Confirmed ambassadors include career diplomats
Career appointments span multiple states, from Abia’s Nwaobiala Chukwuemeka to Sokoto’s Bello Dogon-Daji Haliru. Notable names include Amb. Mohammed Lele (Bauchi), Amb. Okechukwu Kingsley Onaga (Enugu), and Amb. Ramat Mohammed Omobolanle (Lagos). These appointments cover all six geopolitical zones and a variety of foreign postings.
Non-career ambassadorial nominees feature politicians, former government officials, and professionals. Among them are Senator Ita Enang (Akwa Ibom), Olufemi Fani-Kayode (Osun), and former Minister Prof. Isaac Adewole (Osun). The list also includes retired military officers such as Lt.-Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau (Kano) and Vice Adm. Ibas Ibok-Ette (Cross River).
Federal character principle remains a priority in ambassador confirmations
Senator Sahabi Ya’u (Zamfara North) made a point of order to say that his state was not on the confirmed list. He stressed the need to follow the federal character principle to promote national unity by quoting Sections 14(3) and 15(4) of the 1999 Constitution.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio agreed with the ambassador confirmations concern and told the chamber that more ambassadorial nominations would be made to include those that are not yet represented. He told confirmed ambassadors to work hard and keep Nigeria’s good name overseas.
The Senate commended the Foreign Affairs Committee for the thorough vetting process and welcomed the ambassadors’ readiness to strengthen Nigeria’s diplomatic footprint internationally.
