President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has nominated retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, a former Sole Administrator of Rivers State and ex-Chief of Naval Staff, for appointment as a non-career ambassador.
His nomination is part of a broader list of 68 individuals forwarded to the Senate for confirmation.
The ambassadorial list, submitted on Thursday, includes 34 career diplomats and 31 non-career nominees drawn from diverse professional backgrounds. Among the prominent figures are retired military chiefs Lieutenant General Abdulrahman Bello Dambazau and Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, alongside former public officials and political commentators such as Reno Omokri and Femi Fani-Kayode.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio formally presented the names on the Senate floor and directed the Committee on Foreign Affairs to commence screening within one week. The committee is also expected to process three earlier nominees who recently received presidential clearance.
Reactions to the president’s selections have been mixed. Some lawmakers and analysts commended the nominees’ experience, describing them as patriotic and capable of strengthening Nigeria’s foreign missions. Others questioned the inclusion of outspoken critics of Tinubu, noting the political dynamics surrounding their nominations.
The appointments are viewed as part of government efforts to fill vacant ambassadorial positions following the expiration of earlier tenures and the recall of several envoys in 2023.
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If confirmed, the nominees are expected to represent Nigeria in key diplomatic postings around the world, contributing to the administration’s strategy on foreign policy, global partnerships, and national image.