President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has formally requested the Senate to confirm three non-career ambassadorial nominees.
In a letter read on the floor of the Red Chamber by Senate President Godswill Akpabio on Wednesday, November 26, 2025, Tinubu forwarded the names of:
Kayode Are – from Ogun State
Aminu Dalhatu – from Jigawa State
Ayodele Oke – from Oyo State
The letter, transmitted under Section 171(1), (2)(c) and (4) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), requested the Senate’s confirmation of the trio as non-career ambassadors.
After reading out the correspondence, Akpabio referred the nominations to the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs for screening and further legislative action, in line with established procedure.
Multiple reputable national outlets have reported the same three names and details, confirming that this is the first batch of ambassadorial nominees sent by President Tinubu to the current Senate.
As at the time of publication, the nominees have been forwarded and referred for screening, but have not yet been confirmed or assigned to specific countries.
However, Headlinenews.news Investigations gathered from certain Civil society groups that a petition is being prepared against Ayodele Oke’s nomination.
Concerns have resurfaced over Ambassador-designate Ayodele Oke, the former Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), who was implicated in the widely publicized Ikoyi cash scandal during President Buhari’s first term. In 2017, millions of dollars were found hidden in a Foreshore Towers apartment in Ikoyi under circumstances that triggered national outrage.
Although Oke and his wife were arrested and prosecuted, many Nigerians believe the case ended with what they describe as a “soft landing,” leaving lingering questions about accountability and integrity. Critics argue that such a figure should not be nominated to represent Nigeria internationally, especially at a time when the country is struggling to rebuild its global image amid insecurity, terrorism concerns, and its recent CPC designation.
They insist that the Senate and the Presidency must be urgently notified. Beyond the controversy, citizens also expressed disappointment that the Federal Government continues to prioritize non-career nominees for crucial diplomatic postings. They argue that Nigeria’s representation—particularly in G7 capitals—requires seasoned career diplomats, and suggest that respected figures such as Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi and Chief Emeka Anyaoku be consulted to identify credible candidates from among retired professionals. To many observers, the trend of appointing non-career ambassadors at this sensitive moment is simply not in Nigeria’s best interest.
They could also be considered as Special Envoys so as to tap from their wealth of experience for the US- Nigeria situation.
No country sends a person with a blemish who was prosecuted to a G7 Country as an Ambassador designate and he may be rejected eventually, but the Country will look unserious.
Headlinenews.news Special Investigative Report.
