Two years without appointing envoys, President Bola Tinubu, on Wednesday, forwarded the names of three non-career ambassadorial nominees to the Senate for confirmation.
Disclosing the development, President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, announced the names during plenary.
The names sent were Kayode Are (Ogun State), Aminu Dalhatu (Jigawa State) and Ayodele Oke (Oyo State).
Mr Akpabio said, “The list contains three names for now, I am sure others will follow.”
Acting on the request, the Senate president directed the Senate’s committee on foreign affairs to conduct a review of the shortlist within a week.
The latest decision, seeking to ratify the forwarded nominees, followed year-long concern over the state and diplomatic effects of the vacant key positions.
Earlier in 2023, Mr Tinubu recalled career and non-career ambassadors in the country’s 109 diplomatic missions, comprising 76 embassies, 22 high commissions and 11 consulates.
Critics argue that placing a figure linked to a financial scandal in a sensitive diplomatic role undermines transparency and accountability while tarnishing the country’s reputation abroad.
The Senate committee’s review will determine whether Oke and the other nominees are confirmed or face pushback due to their controversial records.
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