Tinubu Unveils New Batch of Non-Career Ambassadors Amid Rising Criticism

|By Chinwendu Nwani

President Bola Tinubu has appointed the former Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, as a non-career ambassador in a fresh diplomatic nomination list sent to the Senate.

Tinubu also named former senator Ita Enang; ex-Imo First Lady, Chioma Ohakim; and former Interior Minister and retired Chief of Army Staff, Abdulrahman Dambazau, as non-career envoys.

The announcement comes barely a week after the President forwarded another set of nominees— including Reno Omokri and former INEC Chairman Mahmoud Yakubu — to the Senate for confirmation. That earlier list triggered sharp criticism from political observers, civil society actors, and opposition voices over alleged political reward placements and transparency concerns.

With the latest submission, the President’s diplomatic appointments continue to stir public debate over merit, representation, and strategic foreign policy direction.