A former permanent secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Joe Keshi, has criticised the ambassadorial list submitted to the Senate by President Bola Tinubu, questioning the suitability of several nominees.
Speaking on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Monday, Keshi said while he was comfortable with some names, many of those on the non-career list raised concerns. “Are these the kind of people we want to represent Nigeria?” he asked, adding that some nominees “should be cooling their heels in prison and not being sent out as ambassadors.”
Keshi accused certain former governors on the list of failing in leadership, leaving their successors to repair the damage done to their states. He suggested that some were being rewarded for political loyalty rather than competence.
The former diplomat also alleged a conspiracy against ex-National Intelligence Agency (NIA) Director General Ayo Oke, which led to his removal, and noted that senior officials in the foreign affairs ministry were bitter about being excluded from the ambassadorial nominations. He argued that Nigeria should be represented abroad by its most qualified career diplomats.
Recalling the vision behind Nigeria’s diplomatic service in the 1960s, Keshi said the founding leaders sought a competent, independent, and well-trained foreign service capable of competing globally. He appealed to President Tinubu to ensure that any subsequent list of nominees includes ministry officials, warning that career officers are demoralised after years of preparation only to be sidelined.
Tinubu last Saturday released a list of 32 nominees, including former INEC chairman Mahmood Yakubu, ex-governors Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi and Okezie Ikpeazu, former aviation minister Femi Fani-Kayode, and former presidential aide Reno Omokri. The president had earlier forwarded three names—Ayo Oke, Amin Dalhatu, and retired Colonel Lateef Are—for Senate confirmation.
The nominations have drawn mixed reactions across the country.
