December 18, 2025 — Dalena Reporters
Nigeria’s Senate has confirmed the appointments of 64 ambassadorial nominees, including notable political figures such as Reno Omokri, Femi Fani-Kayode, and Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (rtd), as part of a wider diplomatic reshuffle aimed at strengthening the country’s foreign missions abroad. The confirmation exercise took place on Thursday during plenary in Abuja, following consideration and adoption of the report from the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs.
The nominees confirmed comprise 34 career ambassadors and 30 non-career ambassadors, reflecting a mix of seasoned diplomats and high-profile technocrats, former public office holders and political operatives. Among the non-career appointments are Reno Omokri, a former presidential aide and public commentator; Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, ex-Minister of Aviation; and Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, immediate past Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Also cleared by the Senate are figures such as former Abia State Governor Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, former Enugu State Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, former Minister of Interior and ex-Chief of Army Staff Lt. Gen. Abdulrahman Bello Dambazzau (rtd), and former Chief of the Naval Staff Ibas Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd). Other notable names include Senator Ita Enang, Femi Pedro, Grace Bent, Florence Ajimobi and Prof. Isaac Adewole—all slated to serve Nigeria’s diplomatic interests in various capitals.
The confirmations followed the submission of the nominees by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on December 4, 2025, when he wrote to the Senate requesting approval of the ambassadorial list to fill key diplomatic postings awaiting occupancy. The nominations had sparked considerable public discussion, with some critics arguing that a number of the non-career appointees lack traditional diplomatic experience.
During Thursday’s session, Senator Abubakar Sani Bello, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, presented the committee’s report, noting that all nominees were screened and found suitable for diplomatic assignments in line with extant laws and guidelines governing Nigeria’s foreign service and diplomatic representation. Senate President Godswill Akpabio subsequently moved the adoption of the report and declared the nominees confirmed.
Senators also engaged in discussions over regional representation, with some raising concerns about states not appearing on the list. In response, Senate leadership assured lawmakers that additional nominations would be forwarded to ensure balanced federal representation.
The confirmation paves the way for the new ambassadors to be deployed to Nigeria’s missions worldwide, a process expected to begin in the coming weeks as the Federal Government works to fill long-standing vacancies and revamp its diplomatic corps.