President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has unveiled a sweeping second batch of ambassadorial nominees, forwarding 32 additional names to the Senate in what observers are calling one of the most politically strategic foreign mission lists in recent years.
The spotlight, however, fell immediately on two high-profile figures: former Aviation Minister Chief Femi Fani-Kayode and outspoken political commentator Reno Omokri.
The President’s communication to Senate President Godswill Akpabio came in two separate letters, formally requesting the expeditious confirmation of 15 career ambassadors and 17 non-career nominees.
Reno Omokri, a former presidential aide known for his fierce advocacy and global activism, was nominated as a non-career ambassador representing Delta State.
His emergence on the list has stirred conversation across political circles given his global visibility and strong international network.
Similarly, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode — lawyer, columnist, former minister, and one of the most polarizing figures in Nigeria’s political discourse — made the cut as a non-career ambassador nominee from Osun State.
His selection is seen by analysts as a strategic diplomatic deployment by the Tinubu administration, considering his international exposure, oratory influence, and deep political reach.
They join a diverse list of notable nominees, including former INEC Chairman Prof. Mahmud Yakubu, former Enugu Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, former Lagos Deputy Governor Otunba Femi Pedro, former Ekiti First Lady Erelu Angela Adebayo, former Oyo First Lady Florence Ajimobi, and Senator Jimoh Ibrahim.
On the career list are seasoned diplomats and senior public servants such as Enebechi Monica Okwuchukwu (Abia), Yakubu Nyaku Danladi (Taraba), Hamza Mohammed Salau (Niger), Ambassador Shehu Barde (Katsina), Ambassador Ahmed Monguno (Borno), and Ambassador Olatunji Sulu Gambari (Kwara).
The nominees are expected to be deployed to strategic global destinations including China, India, Canada, UAE, Qatar, South Korea, Mexico, South Africa, and Kenya, as well as to key multilateral missions like the United Nations, UNESCO, and the African Union. Postings will be assigned after Senate confirmation.
This latest batch follows last week’s transmission of three names — Ambassador Ayodele Oke, Ambassador Amin Dalhatu, and Col. Kayode Are (rtd.) — all positioned for missions in major Western capitals such as the UK, US or France.
President Tinubu said more ambassadorial appointments will be announced soon, signalling an ongoing recalibration of Nigeria’s global diplomatic presence.
