President Tinubu nominates Ibok-Ete Ibas, Ita Enang, Chioma Ohakim, and Abdulrahman Dambazau as non-career ambassadors for Senate approval

President Bola Tinubu has nominated Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, the immediate past sole administrator of Rivers State and former Chief of Naval Staff, as a non-career ambassador, the presidency confirmed on Thursday, December 4, 2025.

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Alongside Ibas, Tinubu submitted the names of Ita Enang, former senator; Chioma Ohakim, former first lady of Imo State; and Abdulrahman Dambazau, former Minister of Interior and ex-Chief of Army Staff.

These nominations were not included in the earlier batch of ambassadorial candidates released by the government.

The president’s latest selections were communicated to lawmakers in a letter read on the floor of the Senate by Senate President Godswill Akpabio during Thursday’s plenary session.

In the correspondence, Tinubu urged the Senate to give the nominees swift consideration, emphasising the need to fill critical diplomatic postings.

Akpabio subsequently referred the list to the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, directing the panel to complete its screening and report back to the chamber within one week.

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The appointments highlight the administration’s ongoing efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s diplomatic corps by combining seasoned public servants and former military leaders with political figures.