Tinubu forwards 32 names to Senate — a fresh diplomatic shake-up
President Bola Tinubu has sent a fresh list of thirty two ambassadorial nominees to the Senate, setting off another round of political interest in Abuja. The document, delivered late on Friday, contained a wide mix of familiar political figures and long serving career diplomats, signalling a major effort to rebuild Nigeria’s presence abroad after long months of vacant missions. There was a quiet stir as word spread that Mahmood Yakubu, the former chairman of the electoral commission, had been included. His name sat beside that of Femi Fani Kayode, the former aviation minister, and Reno Omokri, who previously served as a presidential aide. All three had been at the centre of past national debates, and their appearance on the list added a faint charge to the atmosphere around the National Assembly. Out of the thirty two names, fifteen are career officers who rose through the foreign service, while seventeen are non career nominees chosen from political and public life. Ten of the nominees are women, divided between the career and non career categories. The government has argued that the appointments are necessary to restore full diplomatic operations, especially after Nigeria recalled its envoys in 2023 and left many missions without substantive heads. The nominees, once confirmed, are expected to take up positions in key countries across Asia, Europe, the Middle East and the Americas, as well as multilateral bodies such as the United Nations and the African Union. Final postings will only be assigned after the Senate completes its screening. The inclusion of political personalities has drawn murmurs from observers who fear diplomatic posts may be turning into rewards for political loyalty. Others insist the blend of experience and public visibility could strengthen Nigeria’s reach overseas. The Senate now faces the task of sorting through those arguments as it prepares to begin its assessment. The mood in Abuja suggests that the screening will be closely watched. With Nigeria facing pressing security, economic and diplomatic challenges, the choice of who speaks for the country abroad carries its own weight, and the Senate’s decision in the coming days will determine the shape of Nigeria’s diplomatic voice for years ahead.
| 2025-11-29 17:21:53