President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has submitted a second, more extensive list of ambassadorial nominees to the Senate for confirmation, comprising 32 individuals. This latest batch follows an initial transmission of three names, bringing the total number of new diplomatic candidates to 35 within a week. In separate letters addressed to Senate President Godswill Akpabio, President Tinubu urged the upper chamber to provide expeditious consideration and confirmation for the nominees, emphasizing their critical role in Nigeria's foreign service.

The new list of 32 nominees is divided into two categories: 15 career diplomats and 17 non-career nominees. This diverse group includes representation from across the federation, with four women identified among the career nominees and six women among the non-career envoys, highlighting a commitment to gender inclusion in Nigeria's diplomatic corps.

Among the prominent non-career ambassadorial designates are several notable political figures and former public officials. These include Barrister Ogbonnaya Kalu from Abia State; former presidential aide, Reno Omokri (Delta); former chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmud Yakubu (Bauchi); former Ekiti First Lady, Erelu Angela Adebayo; and former Enugu State Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi. Other distinguished individuals on the non-career list are Tasiu Musa Maigari, the former Speaker of the Katsina State House of Assembly; Yakubu N. Gambo, a former Commissioner in Plateau State; and Yakubu K. Musa, former Deputy Executive Secretary of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC). The list further includes former Plateau Senator, Prof. Nora Ladi Daduut; former Lagos Deputy Governor, Otunba Femi Pedro; Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, a former Aviation Minister from Osun State; and Barrister Nkechi Linda Ufochukwu from Anambra State. Additional non-career nominees are Fatima Florence Ajimobi, former First Lady of Oyo State; Lola Akande, former Lagos Commissioner; Grace Bent, former Adamawa Senator; Dr. Victor Okezie Ikpeazu, former Governor of Abia State; Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, a businessman, lawyer, and Senator from Ondo State; and Ambassador Paul Oga Adikwu from Benue State, who previously served as Nigeria's envoy to the Holy See.

The 15 career ambassador and high commissioner-designates include 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), and Mopelola Adeola-Ibrahim (Ogun). The list continues with 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), and Ambassador Wahab Adekola Akande (Osun). Some of these career diplomats are currently serving ambassadors slated for redeployment.

According to statements released by the President's Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, these new nominees are anticipated to be deployed to countries with which Nigeria maintains strong and strategic bilateral relations. Key destinations include China, India, South Korea, Canada, Mexico, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, South Africa, and Kenya. Additionally, some will be posted to Permanent Missions such as the United Nations, UNESCO, and the African Union. The specific diplomatic assignments for all nominees will be determined following their successful confirmation by the Senate.

This second batch of nominations builds on the initial list of three ambassadorial nominees forwarded by President Tinubu last week. Those three individuals—Ambassador Ayodele Oke (Oyo), Ambassador Amin Mohammed Dalhatu (Jigawa), and retired Colonel Lateef Kayode Are (Ogun)—are being considered for postings to major diplomatic missions in the United Kingdom, the United States of America, or France. The Presidency has indicated that more ambassadorial nominations are expected to be announced in due course, signaling a comprehensive overhaul and strengthening of Nigeria's diplomatic representation globally.