Tinubu Nominates Fani-Kayode, Omokri, and 30 Others as Ambassadors

President Bola Tinubu has officially submitted a list of 32 nominees for ambassadorial positions to the Senate, seeking their confirmation for Nigeria’s upcoming diplomatic roles. The announcement, made on Saturday by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, includes 17 non-career diplomats and 15 career officers designated to represent Nigeria in critical global locations and multilateral organizations. This move is part of the administration’s broader strategy to enhance Nigeria’s diplomatic presence and foster international relations.

The list of non-career ambassadors includes notable figures such as Reno Omokri, a former aide to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan; Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, former Minister of Aviation; and Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, the former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The nominees for non-career ambassadorships are:

1. Barrister Ogbonnaya Kalu (Abia)
2. Reno Omokri (Delta)
3. Prof. Mahmood Yakubu (Bauchi)
4. Erelu Bisi Angela Adebayo (Ekiti)
5. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu)
6. Tasiu Musa Maigari (Katsina)
7. Yakubu N. Gambo (Plateau)
8. Prof. Nora Ladi Daduut (Plateau)
9. Otunba Femi Pedro (Lagos)
10. Chief Femi Fani-Kayode (Osun)
11. Barr. Nkechi Linda Ufochukwu (Anambra)
12. Fatima Florence Ajimobi (Oyo)
13. Lola Akande (Lagos)
14. Grace Bent (Adamawa)
15. Dr. Victor Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia)
16. Senator Jimoh Ibrahim (Ondo)
17. Ambassador Paul Oga Adikwu (Benue)

The career ambassadors nominated are:

1. Enebechi Monica Okwuchukwu (Abia)
2. Yakubu Nyaku Danladi (Taraba)
3. Miamuna Ibrahim Besto (Adamawa)
4. Musa Musa Abubakar (Kebbi)
5. Syndoph Paebi Endoni (Bayelsa)
6. Chima Geoffrey Lioma David (Ebonyi)
7. Mopelola Adeola-Ibrahim (Ogun)
8. Abimbola Samuel Reuben (Ondo)
9. Yvonne Ehinosen Odumah (Edo)
10. Hamza Mohammed Salau (Niger)
11. Ambassador Shehu Barde (Katsina)
12. Ambassador Ahmed Mohammed Monguno (Borno)
13. Ambassador Muhammad Saidu Dahiru (Kaduna)
14. Ambassador Olatunji Ahmed Sulu Gambari (Kwara)
15. Ambassador Wahab Adekola Akande (Osun)

Governance Today gathered that, the selected nominees will be assigned to strategic countries including China, India, South Korea, Canada, and others, as well as key international missions like the United Nations, UNESCO, and the African Union. Their specific roles will be finalized after the Senate completes the confirmation process.