Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Foreign Affairs and Protocol, Ademola Oshodi, has defended the President’s latest ambassadorial nominations, insisting that the selections reflect the President’s judgment of what is best for his administration and for the country.
Speaking during an interview on Channels Television’s programme, Morning Brief, on Monday, Oshodi said political appointments to diplomatic positions were a global practice.
He noted that presidents and prime ministers worldwide routinely nominate trusted allies or individuals with long-standing relationships.
“Whether it’s Donald Trump sending his friends as ambassadors, or the British government posting Peter Mandelson to Washington despite controversies, it is the nature of the business.
“I’m not saying we should send people of bad character abroad, but it has to be the discretion and political decision of the president or head of state,” he said.
Oshodi stressed that Nigerians must respect the President’s prerogative, adding that those questioning the quality of the nominees misunderstand the electoral mandate.
The presidential aide maintained that his principal alone carries the mandate to decide what is best for the country’s governance.
He said, “We voted for a president, and we voted for him to make his decisions. This is the best the President has chosen, and it is the best for the interests and success of his administration.”
The presidential aide stated that assessments of whether the nominees are “the best” are subjective, adding that the performance of the ambassadors would ultimately determine whether the President’s choices were justified.
“Your judgement of what is best is different from mine. He sends his people out to represent his government—whether for economic, security or cultural needs,” he said.
President Tinubu had submitted the names of 32 ambassadorial nominees to the Senate for confirmation, days after sending an initial batch of three names.
The list includes prominent figures such as former Independent National Electoral Commission Chairman, Prof Mahmood Yakubu; former presidential aide, Reno Omokri; former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode; and former Enugu State Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, among others.
In a statement on Saturday, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said all nominees will know their specific diplomatic postings only after Senate confirmation.
He noted that the list also includes four women among the career ambassadors and six women among the non-career ambassadors.
Onanuga had said the nominees included 17 non-career ambassadors and 15 career ambassadors, who will be posted to countries and international organisations critical to Nigeria’s foreign relations.
Following is the full list:
Non-Career Ambassadors (17 Nominees)
Barrister Ogbonnaya Kalu (Abia)
Reno Omokri (Delta) – Former aide to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan
Prof. Mahmood Yakubu (Bauchi) – Former INEC Chairman
Erelu Bisi Angela Adebayo (Ekiti) – Former Ekiti First Lady
Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu) – Former Governor of Enugu State
Tasiu Musa Maigari (Katsina) – Former Speaker, Katsina House of Assembly
Yakubu N. Gambo (Plateau) – Former Plateau Commissioner, ex-Deputy Executive Secretary, Universal Basic Education Commission
Prof. Nora Ladi Daduut (Plateau) – Former Senator
Otunba Femi Pedro (Lagos) – Former Deputy Governor of Lagos State
Chief Femi Fani-Kayode (Osun) – Former Aviation Minister
Barr. Nkechi Linda Ufochukwu (Anambra) – Legal practitioner
Fatima Florence Ajimobi (Oyo) – Former First Lady of Oyo State
Lola Akande (Lagos) – Former Lagos State Commissioner
Grace Bent (Adamawa) – Former Senator
Dr. Victor Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia) – Former Governor of Abia State
Senator Jimoh Ibrahim (Ondo) – Businessman and former Senator
Ambassador Paul Oga Adikwu (Benue) – Former Ambassador to the Holy See
Career Ambassadors (15 Nominees)
Enebechi Monica Okwuchukwu (Abia)
Yakubu Nyaku Danladi (Taraba)
Miamuna Ibrahim Besto (Adamawa)
Musa Musa Abubakar (Kebbi)
Syndoph Paebi Endoni (Bayelsa)
Chima Geoffrey Lioma David (Ebonyi)
Mopelola Adeola-Ibrahim (Ogun)
Abimbola Samuel Reuben (Ondo)
Yvonne Ehinosen Odumah (Edo)
Hamza Mohammed Salau (Niger)
Ambassador Shehu Barde (Katsina)
Ambassador Ahmed Mohammed Monguno (Borno)
Ambassador Muhammad Saidu Dahiru (Kaduna)
Ambassador Olatunji Ahmed Sulu Gambari (Kwara)
Ambassador Wahab Adekola Akande (Osun)
The nominees are expected to be posted to strategic countries, including China, India, South Korea, Canada, Mexico, UAE, Qatar, South Africa, and Kenya, as well as Permanent Missions such as the UN, UNESCO, and the African Union. Diplomatic assignments will be communicated after Senate confirmation.
