Senate screens Omokri, other non-career ambassadorial nominees

The Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs on Thursday commenced the screening of a new batch of non-career ambassadorial nominees submitted by President Bola Tinubu.

Appearing before the committee were several prominent figures, including former presidential aide Reno Omokri, ex-Governor of Enugu State Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, former presidential adviser Senator Ita Enang, and a past Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof Yakubu Mahmood.

In keeping with long-standing parliamentary practice, individuals who had previously served as ministers, ambassadors or legislators were invited to introduce themselves before being permitted to “take a bow”, a gesture the Senate typically reserves for nominees with established records of public service or prior legislative clearance.

Other nominees fielded questions on Nigeria’s foreign policy priorities, the management of bilateral ties, and how they intend to promote the nation’s diplomatic and economic objectives if confirmed.

The committee, led by Senator Abubakar Sani Bello (APC, Niger North), is expected to finalise its report and forward its recommendations to the full Senate for consideration. The nominees will only assume their diplomatic postings once the Senate completes the confirmation process.

The screening followed President Tinubu’s letter of 29 November, in which he requested swift legislative approval for 32 proposed envoys, comprising both career diplomats and political appointees. The Presidency has stated that their eventual deployment will be announced after Senate confirmation.