By Fatima Saka
The Nigerian Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs has concluded the screening of three presidential nominees for appointment as non-career ambassadors, declaring them fit and qualified to represent the country at various international missions.
The session, held on Wednesday at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja. Chaired by Senator Abubakar Sani Bello, representing Niger North Senatorial District, featured extensive questioning, deliberations and professional evaluations of the nominees’ competence, character and experience. At the end of the exercise, members of the committee unanimously expressed satisfaction with the responses provided by the nominees and commended the President’s choice.
Speaking after the screening, Senator Bello said the nominees had demonstrated strong credentials, relevant experience and a clear commitment to national service.
“Members of the committee were given the opportunity to ask very important questions, which they did, and the nominees answered satisfactorily,” he added.
The committee noted that the three nominees are well experienced in their respective fields, have served this nation in different capacities and have the dedication required to serve as ambassadors of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. In our view, Mr. The president has made a very good choice,” he said.
The three nominees presented by the Special Adviser to the President on Senate Matters, Senator Bashir Lado, were:
Mr. Kayode (Abdul Latif) Kolawole Are – Ogun State
Mr. Aminu Muhammad Talhatu – Jigawa State
Mr. Emmanuel Ayodele Oke – Oyo State
In his presentation, Kayode Are detailed his long career in national intelligence and security, including service in the Nigerian Army, tenure as Director-General of the State Security Service, Deputy National Security Adviser and roles in security sector reforms at the state level. Committee members described his background as a strong asset in advancing Nigeria’s foreign and strategic interests.
Aminu Muhammad Talhatu outlined his career history at the Federal Ministry of Finance and NNPC, his voluntary retirement into agriculture, and his previous appointment as Nigerian Ambassador to South Korea from 2016 to 2021, a role that gave him direct experience in diplomatic representation.
Ayodele Oke, a career diplomat and intelligence officer, presented an extensive profile spanning over 38 years of service to Nigeria in six countries across three continents. His academic background includes degrees in political science, international relations, law and international criminal law, as well as specialised training at international institutions. He addressed concerns raised about his past role in national intelligence, stating that previous allegations had been withdrawn following internal and presidential reviews.
The committee also emphasized the importance of nominees liaising with senators from their respective states as part of established legislative tradition.
After final deliberations, Senator Bello formally put the nomination to the committee, and members unanimously agreed that all three nominees should be cleared and forwarded to the Senate for confirmation.
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The committee then resolved to submit its favorable report to the Senate for further legislative action.
With this development, the nominees are a step closer to officially assuming their roles in strengthening Nigeria’s diplomatic missions and advancing the country’s foreign policy interests on the global stage.
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