The Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs commenced the screening of non-career ambassadorial nominees submitted by President Bola Tinubu on Thursday, with several committee members telling nominees to “take a bow” in recognition of their credentials.
The courtesy was extended not only to prominent politicians presenting their portfolios but also to wives of well-known politicians and female lawmakers nominated as ambassadors.
Among those appearing before the committee were former presidential aide Femi Fani-Kayode, former Minister of Aviation Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, former Governor of Enugu, and Yakubu Mahmood, the former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission. Some nominees were asked to demonstrate their understanding of Nigeria’s foreign policy, bilateral relations, and strategies to advance the nation’s diplomatic and economic interests abroad.
The committee, chaired by Abubakar Sani Bello of Niger North, is expected to finalise its work and submit a report to the Senate for consideration and confirmation of the nominees. President Tinubu has urged the Senate to “expeditiously” approve the ambassadorial list in line with its constitutional mandate.
The screening takes place as Nigeria seeks to strengthen its foreign relations and fill long-standing vacancies in several diplomatic missions that have remained without substantive representatives for extended periods.
