The Senate will next week subject President Bola Tinubu’s 65 ambassadorial nominees to rigorous screening amid indications that the exercise will not be routine. Opposition lawmakers have vowed to place several of the nominees under intense scrutiny to ensure only qualified individuals are appointed to represent Nigeria abroad.
Three opposition senators, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the confirmation process would not be business as usual. They stressed that Nigeria’s present diplomatic and security challenges require seasoned professionals with proven integrity rather than political patronage.
One of the lawmakers said the country must be represented by individuals capable of defending national interests at the global stage, adding that ambassadorial appointments must not be reduced to rewards for loyalty. Another senator said the nominees would be properly grilled to determine whether they are fit for purpose.
On Thursday, the Senate formally received the President’s request for the confirmation of the nominees. The request was read at plenary by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
The submission comprised two lists of 34 career ambassadors and high commissioners and 31 non career nominees. This came less than 24 hours after lawmakers commenced screening of an earlier batch of three nominees forwarded by the President.
In his letter to the Senate, Tinubu cited Section 171 subsections 1, 2 and 4 of the 1999 Constitution and urged the lawmakers to confirm the nominees expeditiously.
Among the notable career diplomats on the list are Sulu Gambari Olatunji Ahmed from Kwara State, Ahmed Mohammed Monguno from Borno State and Maimuna Ibrahim from Adamawa State.
Prominent non career nominees include Vice Admiral Ibok Ete Ibas (retd) from Cross River, Ita Enang from Akwa Ibom and Lt Gen Abdulrahman Dambazau (retd) from Kano.
Akpabio referred the list to the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs with a one week deadline to conclude screening and submit its report.
