BREAKING: Tinubu Unveils Powerful List of 32 Ambassadorial Nominees — Ex-Govs Ugwuanyi, Ikpeazu, Fani-Kayode, Reno Omokri, Mahmud Yakubu Make the Cut

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has forwarded a fresh and politically charged list of 32 ambassadorial nominees to the Senate—an announcement that has instantly stirred major national conversation across political circles and diplomatic quarters.

The President’s second batch of nominees, dispatched through two formal letters to Senate President Godswill Akpabio, includes 15 career diplomats and 17 non-career nominees. The new list comes barely days after the President submitted an initial set of three names.

A statement issued Saturday by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, confirmed the development, noting that Tinubu urged the Senate to “consider and confirm expeditiously” the nominees, describing the appointments as crucial to Nigeria’s global repositioning.

Political Heavyweights, Ex-Governors, Ex-Ministers Dominate the List

The Presidency highlighted several prominent figures among the non-career nominees, including:

Former Enugu Governor, Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu)

Former Abia State Governor, Victor Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia)

Former Aviation Minister and APC chieftain, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode (Osun)

Former INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmud Yakubu

Former Presidential Aide and social commentator, Reno Omokri (Delta)

Former Ekiti First Lady, Erelu Angela Adebayo (Ekiti)

Former Lagos Deputy Governor, Otunba Femi Pedro (Lagos)

Former Oyo First Lady, Florence Ajimobi (Oyo)

Former Lagos Commissioner, Lola Akande (Lagos)

Former Adamawa Senator, Grace Bent (Adamawa)

Former Nigerian Envoy to the Vatican, Ambassador Paul Oga Adikwu (Benue)

Also listed are notable political actors such as former Katsina House Speaker Tasiu Musa Maigari; ex-UBEC deputy executive secretary Yakubu N. Gambo; and seasoned academic, Prof. Nora Ladi Daduut.

Career Diplomats Also Make Strong Showing

The 15 career ambassador-designates include experienced foreign service officers expected to strengthen Nigeria’s professional diplomatic corps. They include:

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)

Ambassador Wahab Adekola Akande (Osun)


The Presidency said the diplomats would be posted to strategically vital countries such as China, India, Canada, UAE, Qatar, Mexico, South Korea, South Africa, and Kenya, as well as key multilateral missions, including the United Nations, UNESCO, and the African Union.

Final postings will be confirmed after Senate approval.

Three Earlier Nominees Poised for Priority Postings to UK, USA, or France

Last week, President Tinubu had forwarded a preliminary list of three nominees:

Ambassador Ayodele Oke (Oyo)

Ambassador Amin Mohammed Dalhatu (Jigawa)

Retired Colonel Lateef Kayode Are (Ogun)

According to the Presidency, these three are being considered for plum postings to the United Kingdom, United States, or France—Nigeria’s most strategic diplomatic arenas.

Why the Ambassadorial Shakeup Matters

In September 2023, the Tinubu administration ordered the recall of all Nigeria’s ambassadors—career and non-career—across the world. Nigeria currently operates 109 missions globally:

76 embassies

22 high commissions

11 consulates

Ambassadors play key roles in protecting Nigerian citizens abroad, advancing foreign policy, promoting investment, and strengthening Nigeria’s global presence.

However, the absence of appointed envoys for over a year has drawn criticism, especially amid reports of diplomats struggling with unpaid allowances, rent arrears, and other financial hardships under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

In May 2024, Foreign Affairs Minister Yusuf Tuggar acknowledged the delays, citing economic challenges faced by the government.

More Names Coming Soon

The Presidency has hinted that another batch of ambassadorial nominees will follow in the coming days as Nigeria seeks to rebuild its diplomatic architecture.

“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu said more nominees for ambassadorial positions will be announced soon,” the statement noted.

With the latest submissions, all eyes now turn to the Nigerian Senate as the confirmation battles begin—pitting political interests, regional balancing, professional merit, and national strategy against one another on the floor of the Red Chamber.