By peterside Rejoice
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has transmitted a list of three ambassadorial nominees to the Senate for screening and confirmation.
The announcement was made by the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, during Wednesday’s plenary, which was aired live on the National Assembly’s YouTube channel.
Those nominated are Kayode Are (Ogun State), Aminu Dalhatu (Jigawa State), and Ayodele Oke.
In the letter titled “Request for confirmation of appointments of non-career ambassador designates,” Tinubu cited Section 171 subsections 1 and 2, C and 4 of the 1999 Constitution as amended.
“I am pleased to present for confirmation by the Senate the underlisted nominees as non-career ambassador designates,” the President stated.
Akpabio noted that the President is expected to forward more names in due course.
“The list contains three names for now. I am sure others will follow,” he said, directing the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs to report back within one week.
Since assuming office in 2023, President Tinubu had not appointed ambassadors a delay that attracted criticism, especially after the President recalled all ambassadors from Nigeria’s 109 foreign missions in September 2023 as part of a diplomatic overhaul. Since then, most missions have been managed by chargés d’affaires and senior consular officials with limited diplomatic powers.
The President had recently hinted that the difficulty in balancing political interests and security vetting caused the prolonged delay.
“It’s not easy stitching those names. I couldn’t appoint everybody at once. Thank you for your patience,” Tinubu said during a meeting with The Buhari Organisation at the State House on September 2, 2025.
Sources had earlier confirmed that security vetting on the nominees had been completed and the list was only awaiting presidential approval.
The absence of Nigerian ambassadors has been linked by critics to strained bilateral ties and slow response to diplomatic challenges. Recently, concerns grew after criticisms from the United States regarding religious freedom and security.
With the fresh nominations, the Senate is expected to commence the screening process next week.
About Author
