President Bola Tinubu has submitted a new batch of ambassadorial nominees to the Nigerian Senate, including former Chief of Naval Staff, Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas and ex-Chief of Army Staff Abdulrahman Dambazau. The move is part of ongoing efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s diplomatic corps.
Transmitted on Thursday, December 4, 2025, the nominations add four non-career ambassadors to a growing list of 65 candidates awaiting Senate confirmation—34 career diplomats and 31 non-career appointees.
Ibas, who recently served as the sole administrator of Rivers State, brings extensive military and administrative experience to the role.
This third submission follows earlier nominations that included figures such as Reno Omokri, Femi Fani-Kayode, and former INEC Chairman Mahmood Yakubu, which had sparked public debate. The presidency has defended the selections, noting that many non-career nominees have diverse backgrounds, including previous political opposition, emphasizing expertise and reconciliation over partisanship.
As the Senate continues screenings for earlier batches, observers note differing views, with some questioning the balance between political considerations and foreign policy priorities, while others see it as a step toward enhancing Nigeria’s international representation.