A comprehensive table of the Bola Ahmed Tinubu-ambassadorial nominees transmitted to the Senate (career and non-career), along with their states of origin. The list is drawn from publicly available compilations.
đź“‹List of Ambassadorial Nominees (Career & Non-Career)
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Name of Nominee
State / Origin
Category (Career / Non-Career)
1
Mwaobiola Ezeuwo Chukwuemeka
Abia
Career
2
Maimuna Ibrahim
Adamawa
Career
3
Enpeji Monica Okochukwu
Anambra
Career
4
Mohammed Mahmoud Lele
Bauchi
Career
5
Endoni Sindup
Bayelsa
Career
6
Ahmed Mohammed Monguno
Borno
Career
7
Jen Adams Ni Okun Michael
Cross River
Career
8
Clark Omeru Alexandra
Delta
Career
9
Chima J. Leoma Davies
Ebonyi
Career
10
Oduma Yvonne Ehinose
Edo
Career
11
Wasa Shogun Ige
Edo
Career
12
Adeyemi Adebayo Emmanuel
Ekiti
Career
13
Onaga Ogechukwu Kingsley
Enugu
Career
14
Magaji Umar
Jigawa
Career
15
Mohammed Saidu Dahiru
Kaduna
Career
16
Abdul Salam Abus Zayat
Kano
Career
17
Shehu Barde
Katsina
Career
18
Aminu Nasu
Katsina
Career
19
Abubakar Musa Musa
Kebbi
Career
20
Haidara Mohammed Idris
Kebbi
Career
21
Bako Adamu Umar
Kogi
Career
22
Sulu-Gambari Olatunji Ahmed
Kwara
Career
23
Ramata Mohammed
Lagos
Career
24
Shaga John Shama
Nasarawa
Career
25
Salau Hamza Mohammed
Niger
Career
26
Ibrahim Danlami
Niger
Career
27
Adeola Ibrahim Mopelola
Ogun
Career
28
Reuben Abimbola Samuel
Ondo
Career
29
Akande Wahab Adekola
Osun
Career
30
Adedokun Esther
Oyo
Career
31
Gedagi Joseph John
Plateau
Career
32
Luther Obomode Ayokalata
Rivers
Career
33
Danladi Yakubu Yaku
Taraba
Career
34
Bello Dogondaji
Zamfara
Career
35
Grace Bent
Adamawa
Non-Career
36
Solomon Ita Enang
Akwa Ibom
Non-Career
37
Nkechi Linda Okocha
Anambra
Non-Career
38
Mahmoud Yakubu
Bauchi
Non-Career
39
Philip K. Ikurusi
Bayelsa
Non-Career
40
Paul Oga Adikwu
Benue
Non-Career
41
Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd.)
Cross River
Non-Career
42
Abasi Braimah
Edo
Non-Career
43
Erelu Angela Adebayo
Ekiti
Non-Career
44
Olumilua Ayotunwa (Ekiti)
Ekiti
Non-Career
45
Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi
Enugu
Non-Career
46
Chioma Ohakim
Imo
Non-Career
47
Lt-Gen. Abdulrahman Bello Dambazau (rtd.)
Kano
Non-Career
48
Tasiu Musa Maigari
Katsina
Non-Career
49
Alhaji Abubakar Sanusi Aliyu
Kogi
Non-Career
50
Olufemi Pedro
Lagos
Non-Career
51
Mohammed Ubandoma Aliyu
Nasarawa
Non-Career
52
Senator Jimoh Ibrahim
Ondo
Non-Career
53
Joseph Sola Iji
Ondo
Non-Career
54
Femi Fani-Kayode
Osun
Non-Career
55
Professor O. Adewole
Osun
Non-Career
56
Florence Ajimobi
Oyo
Non-Career
57
Lola Akande
Oyo
Non-Career
58
Professor Nora Ladi Daduut
Plateau
Non-Career
59
Yakubu N. Gambo
Plateau
Non-Career
60
Chukwujinka Okocha
Rivers
Non-Career
61
Haruna Abubakar
Sokoto
Non-Career
62
Jerry Samuel Manwe
Taraba
Non-Career
63
Adamu Garba Talba Nangree
Yobe
Non-Career
Notes / Additional Context
Some reports refer to 68 nominees rather than 65 — this reflects inclusion of previously submitted names plus the latest list.
The nominees cover all 36 Nigerian states plus adjustments to cover representation across geopolitical zones.
The nominations are now with the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, specifically the Committee on Foreign Affairs, for screening and confirmation.
✅ What’s happening: new ambassadorial nominees from Tinubu
Tinubu has sent to the Senate a list of 65 new ambassadorial nominees for confirmation.
The list is made up of 34 “career” ambassadors/high commissioners and 31 “non-career” ambassadors/high commissioners.
This follows a previous submission of 32 nominees — meaning the process has been done in batches.
đź‘Ą Notable names on the list
Among the prominent individuals nominated:
Ibok-Ete Ibas — former Chief of Naval Staff and ex-administrator of Rivers State — appears as a non-career ambassadorial nominee.
Abdulrahman Dambazau — former Minister of Interior and ex-Chief of Army Staff — also among non-career picks.
Sulu‑Gambari Olatunde Ahmed (often “Sulu-Gambari”) — listed among career-ambassador nominees.
Politically connected / high-profile figures: former electoral commission boss Mahmud Yakubu, ex-INEC official; former ministers and ex-governors; ex-audit/administrative figures; former first ladies / spouses of political actors.
The full list reportedly spans all 36 states plus the Federal Capital Territory, reflecting a nationwide distribution.
🧠Context & Official Rationale
The nominations reflect a mix of career diplomats (professional foreign-service staff) and non-career appointees (political figures, former public officials, etc.).
The government sees the envoy appointments as part of a renewed drive for “global influence,” stressing Nigeria’s ambition to strengthen diplomatic and economic ties abroad.
Some civil society voices — for instance CSCHEI — have described several nominees as “seasoned diplomats,” arguing their track records in intelligence or foreign relations make them “assets to Nigeria’s global partnerships.”
âť“ Controversy & Criticism
There is pushback from diplomats and policy analysts who warn that political loyalty — not competence — seems to be the driving factor behind many appointments.
Some critics argue that including former governors or high-level political operatives — especially those previously rejected by voters — signals a tendency to reward political connections rather than suitability or experience.
đź“„ What Happens Next: Senate & Confirmation Process
The nominees have been forwarded to the Senate; the list will be considered and screened by the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs.
A previous batch of three nominees (from a prior list) have already been screened.
Once confirmation is completed, appointments will allow the government to fill many longstanding diplomatic vacancies abroad — affecting Nigeria’s foreign missions worldwide.
