President Bola Tinubu is reportedly deep in the process of selecting new faces to represent the nation in its 109 diplomatic missions scattered across the globe. From bustling embassies to important high commissions and consulates, there are a lot of roles to fill.
It’s been a while since Nigeria had ambassadors in place � September 2023 to be exact. That’s when President Tinubu decided to take a good look at Nigeria’s foreign policy, leading to the recall of over 83 ambassadors, both career diplomats and those appointed from other fields. �
Now, sources whisper to Punch that the wheels are turning to find their replacements. Among the names being floated are some familiar faces. Think Femi Fani-Kayode, a former Aviation Minister with a knack for stirring up conversation, and Femi Pedro, who once held the Deputy Governor’s seat in Lagos. These are just a couple of the prominent individuals said to be in the running. �
The vetting process isn’t happening in one central office, it seems. Nominees are being asked to head to their nearest Department of State Service (DSS) office for security checks. Officials in the Presidency have confirmed that quite a few potential candidates have been contacted to share their personal stories, from their school days to their work history.
One official close to the process revealed to Punch, “They�re already doing security checks with DSS. When they have cleared security checks, we will release the list. Only those who have been cleared are announced. The process is ongoing. I know that we should have a list before the end of this month (April).”
Another source explained the location-based vetting approach: “The vetting is not done centrally. It is based on the location of the nominees. Nominees have been reached to provide personal history and information such as where they attended school, what appointments they have held, and the like. So, it is by location.”
While the full list of potential ambassadors is being kept tightly under wraps for now, senior figures in the Presidency and foreign service have hinted that some well-known, and perhaps even controversial, personalities are being carefully screened.
One official noted, “They�re going to announce the appointments soon. They are being screened as we speak. The names of the nominees are highly classified for now because not every one of the names listed will eventually make it through. FFK [Femi Fani-Kayode] is on the list. These are some of the controversial names that have been put forward as well. Then there is Fola Adeola [founder of Guaranty Trust Bank Plc] and Femi Pedro too. They�re moving on with the process more quickly this time.”
As for why it�s taken this long, another official clarified that this thorough vetting is crucial to avoid any hiccups that could tarnish Nigeria’s image on the international stage. “The nominees are being vetted, and background checks are being conducted on them. It is usually done so that the nominees will not have any security issues and their deployment will not have a negative impact on the country,” the official stated.
So, it looks like Nigeria’s diplomatic landscape is set for a shake-up, with some familiar names possibly heading to represent the country in various corners of the world. We’ll have to wait and see who makes the final cut when the official list is released.
