By Emeka Amaefula
TINUBU UNVEILS FULL LIST OF 68 AMBASSADORS, SIGNALS AGGRESSIVE GLOBAL DIPLOMATIC RESET
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has unveiled the complete list of 68 ambassadors-designate, a sweeping diplomatic deployment that reflects a bold recalibration of Nigeria’s international relations strategy. The composition includes 34 career envoys and 31 non-career nominees, along with an initial three cleared by the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs. The strategic spread confirms a balance of regional inclusion, federal representation, and targeted diplomatic talent pool drawn from all 36 states of the federation.
Among the career diplomats are Abia-born Ambassador Mwaobiola Ezeuwo Chukwuemeka; Adamawa’s Maimuna Ibrahim; Anambra’s Enpeji Monica Okochukwu; Bauchi’s Ambassador Mohammed Mahmoud Lele; Bayelsa’s Endoni Sindup; and Borno representative Ambassador Ahmed Mohammed Monguno, whose diplomatic profiles reinforce Tinubu’s preference for tested professional insiders capable of navigating complex global engagements. Also on the professional track are Ambassador Jen Adams Ni Okun Michael of Cross River; Ambassador Clark Omeru Alexandra of Delta; Ebonyi’s Chima J. Leoma Davies; Edo’s Oduma Yvonne Ehinose and fellow Edo envoy Wasa Shogun Ige; Ekiti’s Ambassador Adeyemi Adebayo Emmanuel; Enugu’s Ambassador Onaga Ogechukwu Kingsley; Jigawa’s Ambassador Magaji Umar; and Kaduna’s Ambassador Mohammed Saidu Dahiru.
Kano has Ambassador Abdul Salam Abus Zayat, while Katsina is represented by both Ambassador Shehu and Ambassador Aminu Nasu. Kebbi fields Abubakar Musa Musa alongside Ambassador Haidara Mohammed Idris; Kogi is represented by Ambassador Bako Adamu Umar; Kwara by Ambassador Sulu Gambari; and Lagos by Ambassador Romata Mohammed Omobolanle. Nasarawa’s Ambassador Shaga John Shama, Niger’s Salau Hamza Mohammed and Ambassador Ibrahim Dan Lamy, Ogun’s Adjola Ibrahim Mopolola, Ondo’s Ruben Abimbola Samuel, Osun’s Ambassador Akonde Wahab Adekola, Oyo’s Ambassador Ariwani Adedokun Esther, Plateau’s Ambassador Gedagi Joseph John, Rivers’ Ambassador Luther Obomode Ayokatata, Taraba’s Danladi Yakubu Yaku, and Zamfara’s Bidu Dogondagi complete the 34-member career bloc.
The non-career lineup deepens the mix with political capital, retired command experience, and international business competence.
Abia contributes former Governor Dr. Victor Okezie Ikpeazu and Barr. Ogbonnaya Kalu; Adamawa is represented by Senator Grace Bent; Akwa Ibom by Senator Ita Enang; Anambra by Nkechi Linda Okocha; and Bauchi by Mahmoud Yakubu. Bayelsa adds Philip K. Ikurusi; Benue, Paul Olga Adiku; Cross River, former Chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiral Ibok-Ette Ibas (rtd.); and Delta, public affairs strategist Reno Omokri. Edo positions Hon. Abbasi Brahma; Ekiti delivers Erelu Angela Adebayo and Barr. Olumilua Oluwayemika; while Enugu fields former Governor Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi. Imo is represented by Barr. Mrs. Chioma Ohakim; Kano by former Interior Minister Lt. Gen. Abdulrahman Bello Dambazau (rtd.); Katsina by Hon. Tasiu Musa Maigari; and Kogi by Alhaji Abubakar Sanusi Aliu.
Lagos adds former Deputy Governor Olufemi Pedro; Nasarawa positions Barr. Mohammed Obanduma Aliu; Ondo presents Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, PhD, and Ambassador Joseph Yusuf Shara’aji; Osun lists Fani-Kayode; while Oyo sends Ajimobi Fatima Florence and Lola Akande. Plateau dispatches Yakubu N. Gambo and Senator Prof. Nora Ladi Daduut; Rivers is represented by Onweze Chukwudi; Sokoto by Dr. Kulu Haruna Abubakar; Taraba by Rt. Hon. Jerry Samuel Manwe; and Yobe by Adamu Garba Tarba-Nagri.
The first three nominees cleared by the Senate—Ayodele Oke of Oyo State, Amin Mohammed Dalhatu of Jigawa, and retired Colonel Lateef Kayode of Ogun—are expected to receive immediate posting directives once final diplomatic briefings commence.
With the diplomatic corps activating induction sessions under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Nigeria is positioning itself to intensify global engagement across security frameworks, defence intelligence channels, trade and investment cooperation, currency stabilization talks, energy transition negotiations, and diaspora protection protocols. Analysts argue that Tinubu’s multinational diplomatic spread signifies not just representation, but a meticulously crafted global leverage blueprint engaging BRICS, the G7 block, ECOWAS, AU structures, and expanding Middle Eastern and Indo-Pacific trade corridors.
The appointments affirm that the administration is not merely refreshing missions but executing a determined reset of Nigeria’s voice and influence abroad—deploying envoys familiar with global financial systems, cross-border security threats, digital economic competition, inter-continental trade diplomacy, and 21st-century geo-economic realities.
President Tinubu’s 68-member diplomacy force therefore reflects a clear strategic posture: Nigeria intends to speak more assertively, trade more competitively, and defend its sovereign interests with deeper continuity and modern diplomatic sophistication.
——–Emeka Amaefula —-+234(0)8111813069—-
