The Nigerian Senate is set to begin a crucial screening process for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's nominees for ambassadorial and high commissioner posts, but the exercise is already overshadowed by significant controversies. A comprehensive list of 65 nominees has been forwarded to the Senate, and at least five individuals on it are facing intense scrutiny over past statements and alleged integrity issues.
Nomination List and Immediate Backlash
President Tinubu initiated the diplomatic appointments in late November, sending an initial three names to the Senate. This was followed by a second list of 32 nominees on Saturday, November 29. By Thursday, December 4, the final list had grown to 65 individuals. The breakdown shows 34 career ambassadors and high commissioners and 31 non-career appointees.
The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, read the presidential letters requesting confirmation. However, the list has been met with swift criticism from opposition parties like the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the African Democratic Congress (ADC), as well as civil society organisations. Critics accuse the president of using these strategic foreign postings to reward political allies and figures with contentious backgrounds, potentially undermining Nigeria's diplomatic image.
Five Nominees Under the Microscope
The controversies surrounding several nominees have become a focal point of national discourse. Here are five of the most prominent figures drawing fire:
1. Reno Omokri: A former aide to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, Omokri was a fierce critic of Tinubu during the 2023 election campaign. He publicly labelled Tinubu a "drug lord" during an interview on Arise TV and led a protest against him at Chatham House in the UK in 2022. In a 2023 Channels TV interview, he categorically stated, "I can never work with him." His sudden political U-turn and subsequent nomination have raised questions about consistency and principle.
2. Femi Fani-Kayode: Known for his inflammatory rhetoric, the former Aviation Minister was another vocal adversary of Tinubu before defecting to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2021. In 2015, he described Tinubu on Facebook as a man with "bad health and always on drugs" and called him Nigeria's "biggest traitor." Fani-Kayode also has a long legal history, having faced corruption charges and prosecution by the EFCC for 18 years across four major cases, though he was ultimately acquitted.
3. Ibok-Ete Ibas: The retired Vice Admiral served as the Sole Administrator of Rivers State from March to September 2025. His brief tenure is under a cloud, with allegations of mismanaging N283 billion in state funds. Activist Deji Adeyanju has petitioned the ICPC to probe Ibas, and the Rivers State House of Assembly has also vowed to investigate the state's finances during the emergency rule period. Ibas has dismissed the assembly's move, stating they lack the authority to probe him.
4. Okezie Ikpeazu: The former Governor of Abia State (2015-2023) has been indicted by a forensic audit report. The report, commissioned by his successor Alex Otti and conducted by KPMG, allegedly found that N1.9 trillion was diverted from the state treasury during Ikpeazu's administration. The Abia State government has handed the report to the EFCC for potential prosecution.
5. Ayodele Oke: The former Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) is entangled in a major financial scandal. In 2017, the EFCC discovered $43 million, £27,800, and N23.8 million in an Ikoyi apartment linked to him and his wife. An official panel indicted Oke, leading to his dismissal. Although the EFCC initially filed money laundering charges, they were withdrawn on national security grounds. New charges were filed in February 2025, but Oke and his wife had reportedly left the country, preventing arraignment.
Senate Screening and National Implications
The Senate has already commenced screening some nominees, with more sessions expected soon. President Tinubu urged the upper legislative chamber for "swift consideration." However, the integrity questions pose a serious dilemma for lawmakers. Confirming individuals with such baggage could damage Nigeria's credibility on the international stage and validate public concerns about political patronage trumping merit.
This development occurs against the backdrop of Nigeria's diplomatic missions operating without substantive envoys for nearly two years, following a recall by the previous administration. The urgent need to fill these posts is now clashing with the imperative for ethical and reputable representation.
The outcome of the Senate's screening will be a major test of its oversight function and its willingness to uphold accountability in presidential appointments. All eyes are now on the National Assembly to see if it will confirm these controversial figures or demand a more scrutinised list from the presidency.
