The Nigerian Senate on Thursday confirmed 64 ambassadorial nominees sent by President Bola Tinubu to represent the country abroad.
The confirmations came after the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs presented a report recommending approval of the nominees, who include both career diplomats and political appointees.
Among those confirmed are former Aviation Minister Femi Fani-Kayode, media commentator Reno Omokri, ex-INEC Chairman Mahmood Yakubu, and former Rivers State administrator Ibok-Ete Ibas.
The list also includes other public figures and experienced foreign service officers.
Senator Sahabi Yau from Zamfara State raised concern on the Senate floor that no nominee on the list comes from his state.
He described the omission as a “glaring” gap and asked the chamber to draw the President’s attention to it.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio responded that the list before lawmakers was not exhaustive.
He assured senators that the matter of representation for all states, including Zamfara, would be communicated to the President and that additional nominees were expected later.
The ambassadorial nominees confirmed on Thursday were divided between 34 career ambassadors and 30 non-career ambassadors and high commissioners, lawmakers said.
The appointments must still be deployed officially after necessary documentation and diplomatic assignments are completed.
Nigeria’s ambassadors serve as its top representatives in embassies and missions around the world.
