Former PDP governors Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, Okezie Ikpeazu & Shehu Sani, Reno Omokiri screened for ambassadorial appointments
The Federal Government has initiated the screening process for candidates nominated for ambassadorial positions as part of efforts to fill the vacant roles at Nigeria’s 76 embassies and 22 high commissions.
Nominees have been directed to report to the nearest Department of State Services (DSS) offices for security screenings.
In addition to the security checks, some of the nominees have reportedly been asked to provide detailed records of their personal education and work history.
A reliable source informed Agenda Papers that two former governors from the South-East, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi and Okezie Ikpeazu, have already undergone the screening process for the ambassadorial positions.
The source also confirmed that Shehu Sani, a recent addition to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), and former presidential aide Reno Omokri are among the nominees who have been screened.
Further confirmation came that former Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Femi Pedro, and former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, have also completed the screening and have been cleared for their potential diplomatic assignments.
It should be noted that in September 2023, President Bola Tinubu recalled all Nigerian ambassadors, both career and non-career.
After nearly two years of waiting, the presidency in March 2025 announced that replacements for these ambassadors would be named “very soon.”
Agenda Papers previously reported that background checks are being conducted on the nominees, with information from the screenings being shared with relevant government agencies in both the presidency and the legislature.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, explained that the delay in the appointment of new ambassadors was due to financial constraints, while foreign officials and other stakeholders raised concerns about the lack of diplomatic leadership at several foreign missions.
However, with the ongoing screening process, the Federal Government is expected to announce the new diplomats and their respective portfolios shortly.
