The Senate has wrapped up the screening process for the trio of ambassadorial nominees submitted by President Bola Tinubu, bringing them a step closer to formal confirmation by the upper chamber.
The nominees—Kayode Are from Ogun State, Aminu Dalhatu from Jigawa State, and Ayodele Oke from Oyo State—appeared before the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, chaired by Senator Sani Bello (APC, Niger North). The panel conducted individual assessments of their qualifications, professional histories, and suitability for diplomatic postings.
Senator Bello, speaking after the exercise, disclosed that Ayodele Oke had satisfactorily addressed all past allegations associated with his tenure in public service, noting that the committee found no outstanding issues capable of hindering his clearance.
The committee is expected to submit its report to the full Senate in the coming days, after which lawmakers will vote on whether to confirm the nominees.
President Tinubu had formally requested their confirmation in a letter read by Senate President Godswill Akpabio during plenary last week.
Ayodele Oke, an alumnus of Emory University in Atlanta, previously served as Director General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) and was Nigeria’s ambassador to the Commonwealth Secretariat in London.
Aminu Dalhatu, another seasoned diplomat, earlier represented Nigeria as ambassador to South Korea during the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
Kayode Are, a career security professional, served as Director General of the State Security Service (SSS) from 1999 to 2007, later became National Security Adviser in 2010, and once served with the Directorate of Military Intelligence. He holds a First Class degree in Psychology from the University of Ibadan, obtained in 1980.
With screenings completed, the Senate’s final decision on their confirmation is expected soon.
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