President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has submitted another set of non-career ambassadorial nominees to the Senate, expanding the roster of individuals proposed to represent Nigeria in key foreign missions.
Announced during Thursday’s plenary, the latest list includes former Rivers State Sole Administrator and ex–Chief of Naval Staff, Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas; former presidential aide, Ita Enang; ex–Imo First Lady, Chioma Ohakim; and former Minister of Interior and retired Chief of Army Staff, Abdulrahman Dambazau.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio read the president’s communication on the floor, after which he referred the nominees to the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, mandating it to conduct screenings and submit its report within one week.
This development follows an earlier submission of 32 ambassadorial nominees—comprising 15 career and 17 non-career nominees—sent to the upper chamber for confirmation. The earlier batch featured notable figures such as former INEC chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu; former presidential aide, Reno Omokri (Delta); and former Enugu State governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi.
A statement issued by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, and titled “Tinubu Nominates 32 Additional Ambassadors,” highlighted the diversity of the list, noting the presence of four women among the career diplomats and six among the non-career nominees.
According to the presidency, the envoys—once confirmed—will be deployed to strategic missions in countries including China, India, South Korea, Canada, Mexico, the UAE, Qatar, South Africa, Kenya, as well as multilateral postings such as the UN, UNESCO, and the African Union.
Their specific assignments will be disclosed after Senate confirmation.
