Abuja, Dec. 3, 2025 — The Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs has started screening three ambassadorial nominees forwarded by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for confirmation Vanguard Premium Times.
The nominees include:
Kayode Are (Ogun State)
Aminu Dalhatu (Jigawa State)
Ayodele Oke (Oyo State)
The screening, led by Senator Sani Bello (APC, Niger North), focused on the nominees’ professional backgrounds, integrity, and capacity to represent Nigeria abroad. During the session, Ayodele Oke addressed and cleared allegations previously raised against him, assuring lawmakers of his readiness to serve Vanguard.
President Tinubu had earlier transmitted the names in a letter read by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, citing constitutional provisions that empower him to appoint ambassadors. He urged the Senate to give the nominees swift consideration Premium Times.
This initial batch precedes a larger list of 32 additional nominees — comprising 15 career and 17 non-career ambassadors — recently submitted by the President. The expanded list includes notable figures such as former INEC chairman Mahmud Yakubu, former presidential aide Reno Omokri, and former Enugu State governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, reflecting Tinubu’s effort to balance career diplomats with political appointees Nigeria Today.
The committee’s report is expected to be presented at plenary for consideration and possible confirmation in the coming days. Analysts say the appointments mark a significant step in Tinubu’s ongoing diplomatic reshuffle, nearly two years after he recalled all Nigerian ambassadors in September 2023 Premium Times.
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