Reno Omokri & President Tinubu
In a move that has sparked widespread reactions across Nigeria political and public spheres, former presidential aide Reno Omokri has been nominated by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as a non career ambassador. The nomination comes under a new batch of 32 persons forwarded by the presidency to the senate for confirmation.
According to the official list sent to the Senate, Omokri’s name is among those proposed for ambassadorial duties, alongside other prominent Nigerians including former INEC chairman and various ex-governors. The batch includes a mix of career diplomats and non-career nominees — of which Omokri is part.
On making the announcement, the presidency called for “expeditious confirmation” by the lawmakers.
Omokri responds: “Forgiveness”, “service”, and renewed patriotism
In reaction to his nomination, Omokri took to social media to express deep gratitude. He described President Tinubu’s decision as a gesture that has taught him “the meaning of forgiveness” and renewed his sense of patriotism and service.
In his statement, Omokri thanked God, his family, and Tinubu — pledging to serve “his fatherland and humanity” should the Senate confirm his appointment.
The nomination has not gone without criticism. Some within the ruling party argue that placing Omokri on the list undermines party loyalty, considering his past outspoken criticisms of President Tinubu. One APC chieftain described the move as a “grave betrayal of party loyalty and public trust.”
Moreover, some groups and individuals have dismissed Omokri as a controversial digital-era commentator whose history of strong language and polarizing statements make him unfit to represent
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Adding to the debate, it is widely recalled that Omokri once publicly swore he would “never work with Tinubu in any way, shape, or form” — making today’s development a surprising turn of events for many.
What this might signal for Nigeria’s diplomatic future
• The inclusion of non-career, politically connected figures like Omokri points to a diplomatic approach that values public visibility, influence, and perhaps reconciliation — a possible shift from traditional career-diplomat appointments.
• If confirmed, Omokri’s appointment could reflect a broader emphasis on leveraging public personalities and social media-savvy Nigerians to represent national interests abroad — potentially reaching diasporas and global audiences in new ways.
• The controversy surrounding the nomination also raises critical questions about the criteria for diplomatic representation: should prior public criticism or political history disqualify a nominee, or can forgiveness and changed stances suffice?
As GLOBALGISTZNG, we will continue monitoring the Senate’s confirmation process and reactions from civil society, political stakeholders, and the public at large. This development could mark an important moment in Nigeria’s diplomatic strategy — and spark a broader debate on accountability, redemption, and representation on the global stage.