The Nigerian Senate has taken a significant step in the confirmation process for three individuals nominated by President Bola Tinubu to serve as ambassadors. The upper legislative chamber conducted a screening exercise for the nominees, moving them closer to official appointment.
Senate Committee Conducts Screening Session
On Wednesday, December 4, 2025, the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, led by its Chairman, Senator Sani Bello of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Niger North, questioned the three nominees. The nominees who appeared before the panel are Kayode Are from Ogun State, Aminu Dalhatu from Jigawa State, and Ayodele Oke from Oyo State.
The screening session was a crucial part of the legislative process required to confirm presidential appointments for diplomatic postings. President Tinubu had formally requested the Senate's confirmation in a letter read on the floor of the chamber by Senate President Godswill Akpabio the previous week.
Addressing Allegations and Examining Credentials
During the proceedings, Senator Sani Bello provided an important update regarding one of the nominees. He disclosed that Ayodele Oke had addressed and satisfactorily cleared all allegations previously raised against him. This clarification likely paves the way for a smoother confirmation process for Oke when the committee's report is debated.
The committee has now concluded its initial vetting of the nominees. The next stage involves the panel preparing and presenting a formal report to the entire Senate during a plenary session. Lawmakers will then consider the report and vote on whether to confirm the appointments.
Profiles of the Experienced Nominees
The three individuals put forward by President Tinubu bring considerable experience in security, intelligence, and foreign service to the table.
Ayodele Oke is a former Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA). He also previously served as Nigeria's ambassador to the Secretariat of the Commonwealth of Nations in London. Oke is an alumnus of Emory University in Atlanta, USA.
Aminu Dalhatu is not new to diplomatic service. He previously served as Nigeria's ambassador to South Korea during the administration of the late President Muhammadu Buhari, giving him direct experience in a key Asian diplomatic post.
Kayode Are has a distinguished background in Nigeria's security architecture. He served as the Director General of the State Security Service (SSS) from 1999 to 2007. He later acted as the National Security Adviser in 2010 and was an officer in the Directorate of Military Intelligence. Academically, he graduated with First Class honours in Psychology from the University of Ibadan in 1980.
The move to nominate these seasoned figures is seen as part of President Tinubu's strategy to strengthen Nigeria's diplomatic corps and advance the country's foreign policy objectives. Ambassadors play a critical role in representing national interests, building international partnerships, promoting trade, and engaging on global issues.
The Senate is expected to reconvene at plenary to receive and deliberate on the committee's report, with a final confirmation vote anticipated in the coming days.
