Among those screened for the ambassadorial appointments are two former South-East governors — Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State and Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State. Also undergoing the process are former Kaduna Central Senator, Shehu Sani — who recently joined the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) — and former presidential aide, Reno Omokri.
Abuja, Nigeria – The Federal Government has commenced the screening of several nominees for ambassadorial appointments, signaling a major step toward addressing the leadership vacuum in Nigeria’s diplomatic missions abroad.
REPORT AFRIQUE gathered from a reliable source that the screening exercise, which began recently, involves both career and non-career nominees who have been instructed to report to the nearest Department of State Services (DSS) offices for background checks. As part of the process, the nominees have been asked to submit detailed records of their educational qualifications and work history.
Among those screened for the ambassadorial appointments are two former South-East governors — Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State and Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State. Also undergoing the process are former Kaduna Central Senator, Shehu Sani — who recently joined the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) — and former presidential aide, Reno Omokri.
Others reportedly cleared by the screening include a former Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Femi Pedro, and ex-Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode. These individuals are said to be in line for various diplomatic postings as the Federal Government moves to fill vacant ambassadorial roles across the globe.
It would be recalled that in September 2023, President Bola Tinubu ordered the recall of all Nigerian ambassadors, both career and non-career, effectively leaving 76 embassies and 22 high commissions without formal leadership.
Although the presidency announced in March 2025 that new appointments would be unveiled “very soon,” the process had suffered delays reportedly due to funding constraints. Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, had earlier attributed the long wait to budgetary limitations, even as diplomatic partners and foreign missions expressed concern over Nigeria’s absence at key foreign posts.
However, the recent wave of screenings and background checks — with gathered intelligence shared across relevant government agencies and the National Assembly — points to imminent appointments.
With the process now underway, the announcement of Nigeria’s new ambassadors may be just around the corner.
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