The Nigerian Senate has given its official stamp of approval for the appointment of three new ambassadors, marking a significant step in the nation's diplomatic appointments. The decision, made on Tuesday, 16 December 2025, saw the upper legislative chamber endorse three seasoned nominees to represent Nigeria on the global stage.
Unanimous Endorsement for Seasoned Nominees
Following a thorough review process, the Senate unanimously approved the nominations of Ayodele Oke, Colonel Kayode Are (rtd), and Amin Dalhatu. The approval came after the consideration and adoption of a detailed report from the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs. The committee's chairman, Senator Abubakar Sani Bello, presented the findings during a plenary session, paving the way for the final vote.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio put the nominations to a voice vote, which received overwhelming support from the lawmakers present. This swift and unified endorsement underscores the confidence the Senate has in the nominees' capabilities and records.
Profiles of the New Ambassadors-Designate
The three individuals approved bring a wealth of experience from critical sectors of national service:
Ayodele Oke is a former Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA). He also previously served as Nigeria's Ambassador to the Commonwealth Secretariat in London, giving him direct diplomatic experience.
Colonel Kayode Are (rtd) is the former Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS). His extensive background in domestic security and intelligence is expected to be a major asset in his diplomatic role.
Amin Dalhatu is Nigeria's immediate past Ambassador to South Korea. His recent, on-the-ground experience in a key Asian diplomatic post makes him a ready and knowledgeable choice for continued service.
Senate President's Charge and Forward Look
In his concluding remarks after the successful vote, Senate President Godswill Akpabio addressed the ambassadors-designate. He urged them to draw on their extensive wealth of experience as they prepare to take up their new diplomatic duties. This charge highlights the expectation that their past roles in intelligence, security, and prior diplomacy will directly inform and enhance their future contributions to Nigeria's foreign relations.
The approval by the Senate is the final legislative hurdle required for their formal appointment. With this step complete, the federal government can proceed to deploy these envoys to their respective countries of assignment, where they will be tasked with advancing Nigeria's interests and strengthening bilateral ties.
