The Nigerian Senate has confirmed 64 ambassadorial nominees submitted by President Bola Tinubu, including former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, and ex-presidential aide, Reno Omokri.
The confirmation was concluded on Thursday following the adoption of a report presented by the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, which stated that all nominees were duly screened and adjudged fit for appointment.
This latest approval comes two days after the upper chamber confirmed three non-career ambassadorial nominees — Lateef Kayode Are from Ogun State, Aminu Dalhatu from Jigawa State, and Emmanuel Ayodele Oke from Oyo State — bringing the total number of confirmed envoys to 67.
Among those cleared in the latest batch are former Minister of Interior, Abdulrahman Dambazau; former Special Adviser on New Media to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, Reno Omokri; former presidential aide, Ita Enang; and former senator, Grace Bent.
Other confirmed nominees include a former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Mahmood Yakubu; former Enugu State Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi; and former Abia State Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu.
According to the committee’s report, the confirmed nominees consist of 34 career ambassadors and high commissioners, alongside 30 non-career ambassadors and high commissioners.
Presenting the report, the committee chairman, Senator Sani Bello (APC, Niger North), informed the Senate that none of the nominees had petitions against them. He added that the candidates were evaluated based on their qualifications, experience, and overall conduct.
In his remarks, Senate President Godswill Akpabio congratulated the confirmed ambassadors and urged them to project Nigeria’s image positively while advancing the country’s diplomatic and foreign policy interests in their respective assignments.
The confirmation followed the Senate’s earlier dismissal of claims circulating on social media alleging that petitions had been submitted against some nominees, including Fani-Kayode and Omokri.
Addressing the matter, Senate spokesperson Senator Yemi Adaramodu stated that no petitions or formal complaints were received by the chamber, stressing that the screening process involved thorough engagement with the nominees rather than a routine procedure.
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