Tinubu Deploys Ambassadors to U.S., UK, France, Turkey; Omokri, Fani-Kayode Await Posting

 

President Bola Tinubu has approved the posting of four ambassadors from the 64 confirmed by the Senate in December, according to a memo sent to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday.

The memo confirmed Ambassador Ayodele Oke’s appointment to France and Colonel Lateef Are’s posting to the United States. Ambassador Aminu Dalhatu, a former envoy to South Korea, was assigned as High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, while Usman Isa Dakingari Suleiman, former governor of Kebbi State, will serve in Turkey. The Turkish posting precedes President Tinubu’s scheduled state visit to the country next week.

The president directed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to notify the governments of the four countries in accordance with established diplomatic procedures.

The Senate had earlier confirmed 34 career ambassadors and 30 non-career nominees. Among those still awaiting posting are former presidential aide Reno Omokri, ex-Aviation Minister Femi Fani-Kayode, and former INEC Chairman Mahmood Yakubu. Also on the list are former governors Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State, former Interior Minister Abdulrahman Dambazau, and Senator Jimoh Ibrahim.

Women linked to political figures, including Chioma Ohakim, Angela Adebayo, and Florence Ajimobi, are also awaiting ambassadorial postings.

The nominations of Omokri, Fani-Kayode, and Yakubu have drawn criticism from Nigerians. 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi described the list as “shocking,” questioning the choice of some nominees amidst the country’s socio-economic challenges.

Obi said, “When families cannot afford their next meal, those in power are welcoming defectors and exchanging gifts as though Nigeria is not burning. This is not governance. This is not leadership. And this is certainly not the Nigeria we deserve.”

Former Ministry of Foreign Affairs Permanent Secretary Joe Keshi also faulted the list, questioning the suitability of some nominees for diplomatic service. “You have people who, if justice had prevailed, should be facing accountability, not representing Nigeria abroad. Some were absolute failures in governance, leaving their states in disrepair,” he said.

The ministry is expected to proceed with the formal notification to the respective countries.