THE Senate has approved the appointment of 64 career and non-career ambassadors after considering a report submitted by the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs.
The confirmation followed the presentation of the committee’s findings by its chairman, Senator Sani Bello, with the chamber subsequently adopting the recommendations.
During deliberations, Senator Sahabi Yau raised concerns over the absence of any nominee from Zamfara State, urging that the issue be brought to the President’s attention.
In response, the Senate President acknowledged the concern, explaining that the list under consideration was not comprehensive.
He assured lawmakers that additional nominations would be forwarded and that Zamfara State would be accommodated.
President Bola Tinubu had earlier, on December 4, forwarded a request to the Senate seeking confirmation of 65 ambassadorial nominees, made up of 34 career ambassadors and 31 non-career ambassadors and high commissioners.
The request was formally read on the Senate floor by the Senate President.
The non-career nominees include several notable political figures such as former INEC Chairman Mahmood Yakubu; former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode; former Abia State Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu; and former presidential aide, Reno Omokri. Others on the list include Senator Ita Enang, former Enugu State Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, Chioma Ohakim, Bello Danbazau, retired Vice Admiral Ibok Ete, and Senator Jimoh Ibrahim.
The full list of nominees was referred to the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs for screening and reporting.
With the latest batch, the total number of ambassadorial nominees considered by the Senate rose to 68, following the earlier screening and confirmation of three nominees—Kayode Are, Aminu Dalhatu, and Ayodele Oke.
The nominations have continued to generate mixed reactions. While some critics questioned the suitability of certain nominees, including the former INEC chairman, others defended the President’s choices.
A former Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Joe Keshi, expressed concerns about the character of some nominees, arguing they did not meet diplomatic standards.
Similarly, Nigerian Bar Association President Afam Osigwe criticised the Senate’s screening process, describing it as a “bow and go” exercise.
However, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Affairs and Protocol, Ademola Oshodi, maintained that the nominees were carefully selected and aligned with the administration’s objectives, stressing that the final decision rests with the President.