The Nigerian Senate has signalled frustration with some ambassadorial nominees during a session of the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, delivering a pointed message to former Minister of Aviation Femi Fani-Kayode and ex-Minister of Interior Abdulrahman Dambazau after their appearances at a high-profile screening exercise. The screening comes amid consideration of a fresh batch of diplomatic appointments sent by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, with lawmakers noting that some nominees appeared ill-prepared during questioning by senators. Observers say the Senate’s rebuke reflects broader concerns about standards and readiness for high-level diplomatic representation, particularly as Nigeria’s foreign service looks to fill key postings globally.
This session follows earlier rounds in which dozens of nominees including former service chiefs and senior public figures were moved from the executive to the legislature for vetting. The Senate has urged diligence and urgency in completing confirmation processes while making clear that nominees must demonstrate substantive knowledge of Nigeria’s foreign policy priorities.
