The Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs on Thursday screened several non-career ambassadorial nominees sent by Tinubu for confirmation.
Those who appeared before the committee included former presidential aide Reno Omokri, former Enugu State Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, former presidential aide Senator Ita Enang, and former chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Yakubu Mahmood.
The session opened with brief introductions from the nominees. Former ministers, ambassadors and lawmakers were allowed to take a bow and leave in line with long-standing Senate practice, which recognises their earlier clearance by the chamber and their years of public service.
Members of the committee questioned the nominees on their grasp of Nigeria’s foreign policy direction, bilateral relations, and plans to advance the country’s diplomatic and economic interests in their proposed roles.
The chairman of the committee, Senator Abubakar Sani Bello, said the panel would conclude its work and forward its report to the Senate for consideration and final confirmation.
Their appearance followed Tinubu’s submission of a list of 32 career and non-career ambassadorial nominees to the Senate on November 29.
The President had urged the lawmakers to consider the list promptly. Confirmed nominees will receive their postings after approval by the full Senate.
