The Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs has cleared Ayodele Oke, Kayode Are, and Aminu Dalhatu for ambassadorial appointments following an intensive screening session at the National Assembly on Wednesday. The three nominees were part of the first batch of ambassadorial candidates submitted to the upper chamber by President Bola Tinubu. During the session, senators focused …
Senate Clears Oke, Are, Dalhatu for Ambassadorial Posts
The Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs has cleared Ayodele Oke, Kayode Are, and Aminu Dalhatu for ambassadorial appointments following an intensive screening session at the National Assembly on Wednesday.
The three nominees were part of the first batch of ambassadorial candidates submitted to the upper chamber by President Bola Tinubu.
During the session, senators focused on issues related to national security, past service records, and controversies linked to previous operational decisions.
Oke, a former Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), previously served as Nigeria’s ambassador to the Commonwealth Secretariat in London.
Are is a former Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), while Dalhatu served as Nigeria’s ambassador to South Korea.
Oke Addresses Past Allegations
The screening session turned dramatic when Oke responded to resurfacing allegations concerning his tenure at the NIA. In April 2017, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) reportedly discovered $43 million, £27,000, and N23 million in an Ikoyi apartment, raising questions about funds under Oke’s watch.
Oke told the Senate that the issues were already in the public domain and sought the committee’s permission to provide clarifications without disclosing sensitive operational details.
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He highlighted that under his leadership between 2013 and 2017, the NIA achieved unprecedented progress in organisational, operational, and infrastructural development, including the construction of a conference centre on previously unused land.
On a controversial covert operation during his tenure, Oke stated that it was approved by two presidents and executed strictly in the interest of national security. He described the period as personally challenging, noting that the ordeal affected him and his family and contributed to the death of his 86-year-old mother.
Senate Committee Chair Sani Bello commended the nominees for their explanations and urged them to formally consult senators from their home states, as endorsement from at least two state senators is required for confirmation. Bello described the nominees as highly competent, citing their decades of experience in diplomacy, intelligence, and public administration.
At the end of deliberations, the committee unanimously recommended the confirmation of Oke, Are, and Dalhatu for their respective ambassadorial appointments.
Rafiyat Sadiq is a political, justice, and human rights reporter with Pinnacle Daily, known for fearless reporting and impactful storytelling. At Pinnacle Daily, she brings clarity and depth to issues shaping governance, democracy, and the protection of citizens’ rights.
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