A routine screening exercise took an unexpected turn on Wednesday as the Senate continued vetting President Bola Tinubu’s ambassadorial nominees, including career and non-career diplomats from across the country.
The session briefly shifted into drama when Emmanuel Adeyemi, a career nominee from Ekiti State, failed to name all three senators representing his state. Adeyemi—currently a deputy director in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs—had impressed the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs with his international experience in Hong Kong and France, where he earned a PhD.
But while paying tribute to lawmakers from his home state, he mentioned only Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele and Senator Yemi Adaramodu, prompting the panel to ask for the third name. Caught off guard, Adeyemi hesitated as a member of his delegation attempted to search online for Senator Cyril Fasuyi’s name, drawing disapproval from the committee.
Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong (Cross River South) described the lapse as worrying, saying nominees expected to represent Nigeria abroad must demonstrate competence and awareness. Senators Adams Oshiomhole and Seriake Dickson also joined in the criticism, while Senator Yunus Akintunde—standing in for Bamidele—pleaded that the committee overlook the mistake.
Adeyemi is one of three ambassadorial nominees from Ekiti, alongside Erelu Angela Adebayo and Olumilua Oluwayemika.
Beyond the Ekiti incident, the committee screened several other career diplomats, including Ahmed Sulu Gambari, Maimuna Besto, Monica Enebechi, Ahmed Monguno, Kingsley Onaga, Magaji Umar and Aminu Nasir.
A surprise appearance came from former Ondo governorship aspirant Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, who was invited to “take a bow and go,” despite not being initially slated for the day’s session.
The screenings follow President Tinubu’s request last week for Senate confirmation of 65 ambassadorial nominees, made pursuant to Section 171 (1), (2) and (4) of the 1999 Constitution. The list includes experienced envoys such as Sulu-Gambari Olatunji Ahmed (Kwara), Ahmed Mohammed Monguno (Borno) and Maimuna Ibrahim (Adamawa), as well as political appointees like former presidential aide Ita Enang, ex–Chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.) and former Army Chief Lt. Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazzau (retd.).
Senate President Godswill Akpabio has given the Foreign Affairs Committee one week to conclude the exercise and present its report.
Wednesday’s session formed part of the second phase of the screening. Earlier in the day, Kayode Are (Ogun), Aminu Dalhatu (Jigawa) and Ayodele Oke (Oyo) had appeared before the committee, with Oke addressing longstanding allegations during his turn.
The staggered screenings, insiders say, reflect ongoing efforts to restructure Nigeria’s foreign service ahead of anticipated changes in diplomatic missions worldwide.
