Several ambassadorial nominees, including Reno Omokri, former Minister of Aviation Femi Fani-Kayode, and former Senator Grace Bent, appeared before the Senate on Thursday for screening at the National Assembly.
Also at the complex were former Interior Minister Abdulrahman Dambazau, immediate past INEC Chairman Mahmood Yakubu, and former Enugu State Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi. Others sighted included former Chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, Senator Ita Enang, Senator Nora Daduut, serving ambassadors, and several lawmakers.
During the session, nominees who had previously served as ministers, ambassadors, or legislators were asked to “take a bow and leave,” a long-standing Senate practice.
Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele defended the tradition, saying it is reserved for individuals with proven public service records. He added that former lawmakers automatically qualify because their legislative history and contributions are already familiar to the Senate.
Thursday’s exercise follows President Bola Tinubu’s submission of a 32-man ambassadorial list on November 29, comprising 15 career diplomats and 17 non-career nominees. According to the Presidency, they will be deployed to countries where Nigeria has diplomatic representation, as well as international bodies such as the United Nations.
The list features several high-profile political figures, including former governors, former ministers, former lawmakers, and former first ladies. It has sparked public debate and calls for scrutiny, especially over the inclusion of ex-political office-holders.
