Senate Confirms Yakubu Mahmood, Fani-Kayode, Ibas, 61 Others as Ambassadors

The Senate has approved the appointment of 64 ambassadorial nominees, including the immediate past Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Yakubu Mahmood; former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode; and former Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas.

The confirmations were carried out on Thursday, December 18, 2025, following the submission and adoption of a report by the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, chaired by Senator Sani Bello (APC–Niger North).

According to the report, the nominees comprise 34 career ambassadors and high commissioners, alongside 30 non-career nominees, bringing the total number to 64.

While presenting the committee’s findings, Senator Bello stated that all nominees were thoroughly screened and found suitable for their respective positions, noting that no petitions were received against any of them.

After the confirmation exercise, Senate President Godswill Akpabio congratulated the newly confirmed ambassadors and charged them to uphold Nigeria’s image and interests, urging them to serve as worthy representatives of the country in their various postings.