President Bola Tinubu has nominated former INEC chairman Mahmud Yakubu, former minister Femi Fani-Kayode and former presidential aide Reno Omokri among 32 persons for ambassadorial appointments.
The list, released by the Presidency on Saturday, has been forwarded to the Senate for screening and confirmation.
According to a statement by the president’s special adviser on information and strategy, Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu requested the Senate to confirm 15 career ambassador nominees and 17 non-career nominees.
Others on the non-career list include former Enugu State Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, Barrister Ogbonnaya Kalu (Abia), former Ekiti first lady Erelu Adebayo, former speaker of the Katsina House of Assembly Tasiu Maigari, Yakubu N. Gambo, a former commissioner in Plateau and former UBEC deputy executive secretary.
Also nominated are former senator Nora Daduut, former Lagos deputy governor Femi Pedro, Nkechi Ufochukwu (Anambra), former Oyo first lady Florence Ajimobi, former Lagos commissioner Lola Akande, former senator Grace Bent, former Abia governor Victor Ikpeazu, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim and former ambassador to the Holy See Paul Adikwu.
Those nominated as career ambassadors and high commissioners include Enebechi Okwuchukwu (Abia), Yakubu Danladi (Taraba), Miamuna Besto (Adamawa), Musa Abubakar (Kebbi), Syndoph Endoni (Bayelsa), Chima David (Ebonyi), Mopelola Adeola-Ibrahim (Ogun), Abimbola Reuben (Ondo), Yvonne Odumah (Edo), Hamza Salau (Niger), ambassador Shehu Barde (Katsina), ambassador Ahmed Monguno (Borno), ambassador Muhammad Dahiru (Kaduna), ambassador Olatunji Gambari (Kwara) and ambassador Wahab Akande (Osun).
Nr Onanuga said the nominees will be posted to countries with which Nigeria maintains bilateral relations, including China, India, South Korea, Canada, Mexico, the UAE, Qatar, South Africa and Kenya, as well as to permanent missions such as the United Nations, UNESCO and the African Union.
Their specific postings will be determined after Senate confirmation.
Tinubu recently sent a first batch of three nominees, ambassador Ayodele Oke (Oyo), ambassador Amin Dalhatu (Jigawa) and retired Colonel Lateef Kayode Are (Ogun), who are being considered for postings to the UK, USA or France.
According to the Presidency, more ambassadorial nominations will be announced.
