The Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs on Wednesday, clearedAyodele Oke, Kayode Are and Aminu Dalhatu after an intense screening session atthe National Assembly. The three nominees were part of the first batch transmittedto the upper chamber by President Bola Tinubu. The session focused on national security, previous servicerecords and controversies linked to past operational decisions. Oke, a former director-general of the National IntelligenceAgency (NIA), previously served as Nigeria’s ambassador to the Commonwealthsecretariat in London. Are is a former director-general of the Department of StateServices (DSS), while Dalhatu served as Nigeria’s ambassador to South Korea. OKE RESPONDS TO ALLEGATIONS The screening took a dramatic turn when Oke addressedallegations that had resurfaced in the media after his nomination wasannounced. In April 2017, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commissionsaid it discovered $43 million, £27,000 and N23 million in a flat in Ikoyiafter a tip-off from a whistleblower. Following reports that the money belonged to the NIA underOke’s watch, TheCable later reported that the agency collected $289,202,382 incash from the account of the National Petroleum Investment Management Servicesat the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in February 2015 after the generalelection was postponed. Oke thanked the senate for the opportunity to respond,saying the issues they raised were “already in the public domain”. He sought the committee’s permission to speak on theconcerns, adding that while he would not reveal sensitive operational details,he was ready to provide clarifications. Oke said under his leadership, between 2013 and 2017, theNIA recorded “unprecedented progress — organisational, operational andinfrastructural”. He said he built “the best conference centre in thecountry”, noting that the land was an empty field when he assumed office. The nominee maintained that the agency reached heights ithad never attained in its previous three decades. Speaking on the controversial covert operation linked to histenure, Oke said the “clandestine operation” received approval from twopresidents and was executed strictly in the interest of national security. He quoted author Philip Yancey and compared his experienceto biblical figures such as Joseph, Job, Esther and Ruth, saying he bore theturbulence “with equanimity”. Oke said he relied on three guiding principles — God,country and honour — which shaped his 38-year career in public service. He said the ordeal deeply affected him and his family,noting that his 86-year-old mother died during the period, partly from distresscaused by “lies and damaging narratives”. Members of the committee commended Oke for his explanationsand acknowledged the sensitivity of the issues raised. Committee chair Sani Bello reminded the nominees to formallyconsult senators from their home states because endorsement from at least twostate senators remains a requirement for clearance. He said all three nominees presented strong credentialsdrawn from decades of work in diplomacy, intelligence and publicadministration. Bello described their nomination as “a very good choice”,adding that they had demonstrated competence and readiness for the assignmentsahead. At the end of deliberations, the committee unanimouslyrecommended the confirmation of the three nominees.
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