President Bola Tinubu has expanded Nigeria’s ambassadorial list with 32 additional nominees, blending seasoned career diplomats with influential political figures such as former INEC Chairman Mahmood Yakubu, ex-presidential aide Reno Omokri, former governors, commissioners, senators, and first ladies, as the government moves to strengthen Nigeria’s presence in key global capitals and major international organizations while urging the Senate to expedite their confirmation process
President Bola Tinubu has forwarded 32 additional ambassadorial nominees to the Senate, adding to the earlier three names released during the week. The announcement came through a statement from Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, who emphasized the need for swift Senate confirmation.
The newly released list features a total of 15 career diplomats and 17 non-career nominees, reflecting an intentional mix of professional foreign service experience and political representation. Prominent names include former INEC Chairman Mahmood Yakubu, former presidential aide Reno Omokri, former state governors, former commissioners, senators, and former first ladies.
Once confirmed, the nominees are expected to be deployed to countries where Nigeria maintains strategic bilateral relations, such as China, India, South Korea, Canada, Mexico, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, South Africa, and Kenya. Others will take up positions at Nigeria’s Permanent Missions to global institutions including the United Nations, UNESCO, and the African Union. Specific postings will be announced after Senate confirmation, with President Tinubu indicating that more names will still be added.
Non-career nominees include:
Barrister Ogbonnaya Kalu (Abia); Reno Omokri (Delta); Mahmood Yakubu, former INEC Chairman; Erelu Angela Adebayo, former Ekiti First Lady; Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, former Enugu Governor; Tasiu Musa Maigari, former Speaker, Katsina House of Assembly; Yakubu N. Gambo, former Plateau Commissioner and former UBEC deputy executive secretary; Professor Nora Ladi Daduut, former Plateau Senator; Otunba Femi Pedro, former Lagos Deputy Governor; Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, former Aviation Minister; Barrister Nkechi Linda Ufochukwu (Anambra); Fatima Florence Ajimobi, former Oyo First Lady; Lola Akande, former Lagos Commissioner; Grace Bent, former Adamawa Senator; Victor Okezie Ikpeazu, former Abia Governor; Senator Jimoh Ibrahim (Ondo); and Ambassador Paul Oga Adikwu, former envoy to the Holy See.
Career nominees are:
Enebechi Monica Okwuchukwu (Abia), Yakubu Nyaku Danladi (Taraba), Miamuna Ibrahim Besto (Adamawa), Musa Musa Abubakar (Kebbi), Syndoph Paebi Endoni (Bayelsa), Chima Geoffrey Lioma David (Ebonyi), Mopelola Adeola-Ibrahim (Ogun), Abimbola Samuel Reuben (Ondo), Yvonne Ehinosen Odumah (Edo), Hamza Mohammed Salau (Niger), Ambassador Shehu Barde (Katsina), Ambassador Ahmed Mohammed Monguno (Borno), Ambassador Muhammad Saidu Dahiru (Kaduna), Ambassador Olatunji Ahmed Sulu Gambari (Kwara), and Ambassador Wahab Adekola Akande (Osun).
The list highlights the dual structure of Nigeria’s diplomatic appointments, which include career ambassadors, highly trained diplomats with years of professional experience, and non-career ambassadors, who are appointed for their political influence, expertise, or unique contributions rather than formal diplomatic training.
As Nigeria prepares to expand its global engagement, this combined list signals the Tinubu administration’s intention to strengthen both political and professional representation abroad. The Senate’s confirmation process will determine when the nominees assume their various postings, setting the stage for a renewed diplomatic agenda.
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