President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has nominated several prominent former officials as non-career ambassadors, expanding his diplomatic appointments ahead of key international postings.
Among the nominees is Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, the immediate past Sole Administrator of Rivers State. Others named include Ita Enang, a former senator; Chioma Ohakim, former First Lady of Imo State; and Abdulrahman Dambazau, former Minister of Interior and ex-Chief of Army Staff.
This latest list of nominees follows closely on the heels of a previous submission to the Senate, which included names such as Reno Omokri, former INEC Chairman Mahmoud Yakubu, and other notable figures.
While the appointments reflect Tinubu’s strategy of leveraging experienced public servants for diplomatic roles, the nominations have attracted criticism from various quarters, with some observers questioning the politicization of ambassadorial postings and the predominance of former officials over career diplomats.
Political analysts note that the Senate will now consider the nominees for confirmation, a process that could shape Nigeria’s diplomatic engagements in the coming years.
As the nation awaits Senate action, debates continue over the balance between rewarding public service experience and promoting professional diplomacy in ambassadorial appointments.