Nigeria’s Senate has given final approval to 64 nominees appointed to serve as career and non-career ambassadors, clearing a key diplomatic process after weeks of legislative scrutiny.
Approval followed the adoption of a report submitted by the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, which reviewed the nominees’ credentials and engagements before recommending their confirmation.
Presenting the report, committee chairman Sani Bello told lawmakers that the nominees met the constitutional and professional requirements for diplomatic postings.
He noted that the committee’s assessment focused on competence, experience, and national representation.
However, proceedings briefly shifted when Senator Sahabi Yau raised concerns over the absence of any nominee from Zamfara State.
He described the omission as troubling and urged the chamber to formally alert the President.
“This is not just about numbers; it is about fairness and inclusion in national representation,” Yau said, warning that continued exclusion could deepen political discontent.
Responding, Senate President Godswill Akpabio acknowledged the concern but clarified that the list before the Senate was not final. He assured lawmakers that more nominations would follow.
“Additional ambassadorial appointments are expected, and no state, including Zamfara, will be left out,” Akpabio said, adding that he would personally convey the Senate’s position to the President.
Meanwhile, the confirmed ambassadors are expected to resume duties once postings are announced, as Nigeria seeks to strengthen its diplomatic presence and foreign policy engagements globally.
Among the career ambassadors are Arewa Esther (Oyo State); Adeola-Ibrahim Mopelola (Ogun); Ramat Omonbolale (Lagos); Monica Okechukwu Enebechi (Anambra); Adams Jane Basset (Cross River); Mohammed Lele (Bauchi); Muhammad Dahiru (Kaduna).
Those on the list of non- career include Ajimobi Florence (Oyo); Sulola Akande (Oyo); Uguwanyi Ifeanyi (Enugu); Ita Enang (Akwa Ibom); Femi Fani-Kayode (Osun); Jerry Manwe (Taraba); Reno Omokri (Delta); Ibas Ibok-Ette (Cross River); Abdulrahman Dambazzau (Kano); and Abas Braimah (Edo).