Tinubu Nominates Ibas, Dambazau, Enang, Ohakim as Ambassadors

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has submitted a fresh list of ambassadorial nominees to the Senate for confirmation, appointing a blend of former service chiefs, ex-presidential aides, and influential political figures to represent Nigeria in strategic diplomatic missions across the world.

The nominations, read on the Senate floor by Senate President Godswill Akpabio on Thursday, mark a significant step in the administration’s ongoing effort to restructure and strengthen Nigeria’s foreign service.

Among the nominees is the immediate past Sole Administrator of Rivers State and former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (rtd), whose long record in maritime security and national defense places him among the most seasoned appointees on the list.

Also nominated is former Minister of Interior and former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau (rtd), a respected security expert with extensive experience in governance, defense diplomacy, and international cooperation.

Others on the list include former presidential aide and ex-Senator, Ita Enang, known for his strong legislative and policy background, and Chioma Ohakim, former First Lady of Imo State, who is expected to bring administrative knowledge and political experience to the diplomatic arena.

President Tinubu, in the communication to the Senate, described the nominees as competent individuals capable of advancing Nigeria’s foreign policy goals, strengthening international partnerships, and promoting national interests abroad.

He urged lawmakers to expedite the confirmation process to prevent prolonged vacancies in key foreign missions, many of which have been without ambassadors since earlier recalls and restructuring directives issued in 2023 and 2024.

The Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs is expected to begin screening the nominees in the coming days. The committee will examine their qualifications, diplomatic readiness, foreign policy understanding, and overall suitability for postings that require both experience and strategic insight. Lawmakers have signaled their commitment to conducting a thorough exercise while ensuring that Nigeria’s foreign missions are quickly staffed to meet global diplomatic obligations.

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The latest nominations come at a time when the Nigerian government is repositioning its diplomatic engagements to align with President Tinubu’s “economic diplomacy” agenda aimed at boosting foreign investment, expanding trade opportunities, enhancing security collaboration, and deepening relations with key global partners. With Nigeria navigating economic reforms, currency stabilization efforts, and heightened regional security concerns, diplomatic competence has become a critical factor in the nation’s external relations strategy.

The inclusion of former security chiefs such as Ibas and Dambazau is seen by analysts as a deliberate move to bolster Nigeria’s representation in countries where defense partnerships, counterterrorism cooperation, maritime security, and intelligence-sharing agreements are vital. Their professional backgrounds, observers say, could enhance Nigeria’s leverage in negotiations and global security frameworks.

Similarly, the selection of politicians and administrators like Enang and Ohakim reflects the administration’s intent to balance technical expertise with political diplomacy, particularly in missions where diaspora engagement, policy coordination, and bilateral negotiations require seasoned public sector experience.

Once screened and confirmed, the ambassadors-designate will be deployed to Nigerian missions across Africa, Europe, Asia, and the Americas. Their exact postings will be announced by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs upon completion of the Senate process.

With these new appointments, the Tinubu administration continues its effort to re-energize Nigeria’s diplomatic corps, strengthen international cooperation, and project Nigeria’s interests more effectively on the global stage.