The Federal Government has begun screening candidates for ambassadorial appointments in Nigeria’s 109 foreign missions, including 76 embassies, 22 high commissions, and 11 consulates.
According to The PUNCH, among those reportedly undergoing security vetting are former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, and former Lagos State Deputy Governor, Femi Pedro.
Multiple government sources revealed that the Department of State Services is currently conducting background checks on the nominees, who have been instructed to report to the closest DSS offices rather than a central location.
“They’ve started security screening at various DSS offices. Once they pass, their names will be forwarded. The list should be ready before the end of April,” a presidency official said under anonymity, as they were not authorised to speak on the matter.
Another insider disclosed that nominees have been asked to provide details of their education and employment history.
“The vetting is decentralized. Nominees are being contacted based on their location and required to submit personal background details,” the source explained.
President Bola Tinubu has been operating without ambassadors since September 2023, following a comprehensive review of Nigeria’s foreign policy.
Over 83 ambassadors were recalled that month as part of the review. However, the delay in new appointments has been attributed to financial constraints.
A senior government official noted that funding remains a significant hurdle. “The problem isn’t their salaries, it’s capital expenditure. Most embassies are in a deplorable state. Renovations, vehicle replacements, and general upkeep require nearly $1 billion,” the source said.
Another official added, “Some embassies are without power or water. Others don’t have serviceable vehicles. Sending ambassadors to such conditions would be disastrous.”
Foreign Affairs Minister, Yusuf Tuggar, echoed these concerns, emphasizing that the appointments are stalled due to a lack of adequate funding.
“It’s a funding issue,” Tuggar said during a previous ministerial briefing. “There’s no point deploying ambassadors when there’s no money to even facilitate their travel or ensure the missions function effectively. The President is aware and is working on resolving it.”
While the 2025 budget reportedly includes allocations to cover some of these expenses, officials say it still falls short of addressing the embassies’ urgent needs.
Despite the secrecy surrounding the full list of nominees, sources confirmed that some politically exposed individuals are under consideration. “Names like FFK [Femi Fani-Kayode], Femi Pedro, and Fola Adeola have been mentioned. But not all will make the final cut,” a senior presidency aide disclosed.
There were earlier speculations that Reno Omokri, former aide to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, was among the nominees. However, this was dismissed by an official source. “Reno is not on the list. But Fani-Kayode is,” the source affirmed.
Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, stated that the process must be meticulous before any list is forwarded to the National Assembly.
“The ambassadorial nominations involve both career and political appointees. The consolidated list will go through thorough review before submission,” Onanuga said.
