(JUST IN ) Ambassadorial screening: Fani-Kayode, Dambazau get ‘special treatment’ in Senate

The Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs on Thursday conducted screening exercises for two former ministers, Femi Fani-Kayode and Abdulrahman Dambazau, who have been nominated for ambassadorial roles.

Fani-Kayode, a former Minister of Aviation, and Dambazau, who once headed the Interior Ministry, had previously undergone comprehensive Senate vetting during their ministerial confirmations under earlier administrations.

During Thursday’s session, both nominees were introduced and then allowed to “take a bow and leave,” a long-standing parliamentary practice extended to former ministers, ambassadors and lawmakers. Committee members referenced their prior Senate confirmations and lengthy public service careers as justification for the expedited process.

Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele defended the continued use of the procedure, saying it applies to nominees with “established and verifiable records of public service.”He added that anyone who has served in the National Assembly automatically qualifies for the privilege, noting that their experience and reputation are already familiar to legislators.

The nominees will now await final approval by the full Senate.

It was earlier reported that the screening followed President Bola Tinubu’s submission of a 32-person ambassadorial nominee list to the Senate on November 29 for confirmation.