Tinubu Sends 32 New Ambassadorial Nominees to Senate

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has expanded his diplomatic reshuffle with the transmission of 32 additional ambassadorial nominees to the Senate, a move widely viewed as part of a broader strategy to recalibrate Nigeria’s International engagements while balancing domestic Political interests.

The new list containing 15 Career Diplomats and 17 non-career nominees—was forwarded to Senate President Godswill Akpabio in two separate letters. It follows barely a week after Tinubu sent the first three nominees for screening, signalling a phased overhaul of Nigeria’s embassy leadership across key nations and multilateral institutions.

Among the most prominent names are former Independent National Electoral Commission chairman Mahmud Yakubu, ex-presidential aide Reno Omokri, former Enugu State Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, and former Aviation Minister Femi Fani-Kayode. Their appearance on the list highlights the President’s preference for a mix of politically experienced figures and seasoned administrators capable of representing Nigeria in increasingly complex global environments.

In the statement titled “Tinubu nominates 32 additional ambassadors,” Presidential Adviser Bayo Onanuga noted that the batch includes four women among career nominees and six among non-career nominees, indicating stronger female representation compared to previous ambassadorial rounds.

The non-career list also features former Lagos Deputy Governor Otunba Femi Pedro, former Oyo First Lady Florence Ajimobi, Lagos politician Lola Akande, former Abia Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, ex-Adamawa Senator Grace Bent, Ondo Senator and Businessman Jimoh Ibrahim, and Ambassador Paul Oga Adikwu, Nigeria’s former envoy to the Holy See.

Career nominees span all Geopolitical zones, including Enebechi Monica Okwuchukwu (Abia), Yakubu Nyaku Danladi (Taraba), Maimuna Ibrahim Besto (Adamawa), Musa Musa Abubakar (Kebbi), Syndoph Paebi Endoni (Bayelsa), Chima Geoffrey Lioma David (Ebonyi), and Mopelola Adeola-Ibrahim (Ogun). Additional names are Abimbola Samuel Reuben, Yvonne Ehinosen Odumah, Hamza Mohammed Salau, Shehu Barde, Ahmed Mohammed Monguno, Muhammad Saidu Dahiru, Olatunji Ahmed Sulu Gambari, and Wahab Adekola Akande.

The Presidency stated that the diplomats will be deployed to strategic missions in countries such as China, India, Canada, the UAE, Mexico, South Korea, Qatar and South Africa, as well as multilateral platforms including the United Nations, UNESCO and the African Union. Final postings will be assigned after Senate confirmation.

Tinubu’s expanded list demonstrates his administration’s efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s International presence, reinforce foreign policy objectives and position politically influential figures where Global negotiations increasingly demand strong representation.