Senate To Subject Tinubu’s 65 Envoy Nominees To Tough Screening

President Bola Tinubu’s 65 ambassadorial picks are set to walk into a storm next week as the Senate prepares an intense round of questioning before confirming them.

Three opposition senators, speaking quietly and off-the-record, hinted that this won’t be the usual polite handshake-and-pass affair. They promised to put nominees under real pressure. As one senior lawmaker put it, the country needs diplomats who know the job, not placeholders collecting political favours.

Another senator added that every nominee would be thoroughly tested to ensure they are truly “fit for purpose.”

The Senate received the President’s request on Thursday, one of the administration’s biggest diplomatic submissions so far. It included two lists: 34 career diplomats and 31 non-career nominees.

This batch arrived only a day after lawmakers began screening an earlier set of three nominees. In his letter, Tinubu cited Section 171 of the Constitution and urged the Senate to confirm the candidates quickly. He highlighted 15 career and 17 non-career ambassadors for approval.

Prominent career names include Sulu-Gambari Olatunji Ahmed, Ahmed Mohammed Monguno and Maimuna Ibrahim. The non-career list features heavyweights such as former Naval Chief Ibok-Ete Ibas, former presidential aide Ita Enang and ex-Army Chief Abdulrahman Dambazau.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio forwarded all names to the Foreign Affairs Committee, giving them one week to screen and report back.

Meanwhile, screening has already begun for the earlier trio; Kayode Are, Aminu Dalhatu and Ayodele Oke. Oke reportedly used the session to address past allegations raised against him.

The committee’s report on these three is expected soon, even as it prepares for the much larger batch.

The phased submissions suggest the administration is carefully filling key diplomatic seats as part of a wider overhaul of Nigeria’s foreign missions.

A detailed list of all career and non-career nominees followed, though controversy trailed the inclusion of Adamu Garba Talba, who was reported to have died months earlier, a claim that remains unverified.

With these fresh names, the Foreign Affairs Committee now faces a crowded, high-stakes screening schedule essential to restoring Nigeria’s global presence.

Nigeria Moves To Restore Diplomatic Presence Amid Two-Year Gap

Nigeria has been without ambassadors for almost two years, a diplomatic silence blamed partly on tight finances. Several embassies reportedly require major repairs before new envoys can resume duty.

The 2024 budget earmarked N53bn for repairs across 103 foreign missions, covering buildings, staff residences, furniture and vehicles. Still, insiders say it may take close to $1bn to fully revive all missions and settle outstanding debts.

While the Presidency insists the delay helped ensure better selections, critics argue political bargaining not merit caused the stalemate.

Experts warn the vacuum has weakened Nigeria’s voice abroad, hampered consular assistance and may have cost the country economic opportunities. Security analysts also note that the absence of ambassadors leaves Nigeria exposed to threats typically handled through diplomatic channels.

The submission of 65 nominees is seen as a major step toward rebuilding Nigeria’s diplomatic influence.

Atiku Criticises Tinubu Over Nomination Of Ex-INEC Chairman

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has taken aim at Tinubu’s decision to nominate the immediate past INEC chairman for an ambassadorial role.

Posting on X, Atiku said he would never consider such an appointment, warning that it sends dangerous signals and undermines trust in Nigeria’s electoral system.

Tinubu included the former INEC boss in a list of 32 ambassadorial nominees sent to the Senate on November 29.

Atiku argued the move could be interpreted as rewarding the referee who oversaw the highly contested 2023 elections — the same election that brought Tinubu to power. He insisted the optics are terrible for an administration already battling a credibility deficit.

He warned that the nomination sets the wrong example for the current INEC leadership, suggesting that compromised elections might lead to personal rewards. He added that the move is morally unjustifiable and damaging to Nigeria’s democratic health.

According to him, such actions erode public confidence in institutions and weaken efforts aimed at strengthening democracy.