The Federal Government is currently screening candidates for key ambassadorial positions in the country’s 109 diplomatic missions, including 76 embassies, 22 high commissions, and 11 consulates worldwide. Among the prominent names under consideration are former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, and former Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Femi Pedro.
Reliable sources informed KIIN360 that the vetting process is not centralized. Nominees have been asked to report to the nearest Department of State Services (DSS) office for security checks. Presidency officials confirmed that several candidates have already been contacted to provide personal and professional history as part of the security vetting process.
An official, speaking anonymously, revealed, “The screening process is ongoing. Once nominees are cleared by the DSS, the final list will be released. We expect to have the list finalized before the end of April.”
The vetting process, which involves reviewing the candidates’ education, work history, and other relevant information, is being conducted based on the locations of the nominees, with each nominee being assessed in their respective areas.
Since assuming office in May 2023, President Bola Tinubu has yet to appoint ambassadors, opting instead to focus on a comprehensive review of the country’s foreign policy, which led to the recall of over 83 ambassadors. The delay in appointing new diplomats has been linked to financial challenges, including the need to address a backlog of payments to foreign service officers and upgrade dilapidated embassy facilities.
A foreign service official explained the delays, saying, “The key issue is funding. It’s not just about paying salaries. The real challenge is capital expenditure, including repairing rundown embassies, replacing old vehicles, and addressing outdated infrastructure. The estimated cost of these issues runs into nearly $1 billion.”
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, has previously attributed the delays to the lack of adequate funding, stating, “There is no point sending ambassadors if there are insufficient resources to support their missions abroad.” Despite provisions in the 2025 budget, the financial resources allocated to cover these expenses are still considered insufficient.
The list of nominees remains highly classified, though sources confirm that several high-profile figures are being considered. Aside from Femi Fani-Kayode and Femi Pedro, prominent Nigerian business figure Fola Adeola, the founder of Guaranty Trust Bank, is also reportedly in the running for a diplomatic post. However, some controversial names have been excluded from the final list after thorough vetting, which is designed to ensure that the appointments do not negatively affect Nigeria’s image on the international stage.
There have been unverified reports suggesting that former presidential aide Reno Omokri was among those nominated, but a source within the Presidency denied this claim, confirming that Omokri is not on the list.
Bayo Onanuga, the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, explained that the process for appointing ambassadors involves careful deliberation. He said, “The final list will include both career diplomats and political appointees. The nomination process is thorough, and the names will go through the necessary procedures before they are submitted to the National Assembly.”
As the screening process continues, Nigerians await the announcement of the new batch of ambassadors, which is expected to take place soon.
