The Federal government has commenced the screening of candidates nominated for diplomatic roles its 76 embassies and 22 high commissions.
Reports said the nominees have been asked to report to the DSS offices nearest to them for security checks. Some have reportedly been contacted to provide personal education and work history.
Media reports added that two former South-eastern governors, namely Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu State) and Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia State), have been screened for the roles.
A report quoting sources added that Shehu Sani, who recently joined the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and former presidential aide Reno Omokri, are among the nominees who have also been screened.
The source also confirmed that former Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Femi Pedro and former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, have already gone through the screening process and have been cleared for their prospective national assignments.
President Bola Tinubu, in September 2023, recalled all Nigerian ambassadors, both career and non-career.
Nearly two years after their recall, the presidency, in March 2025, said that their replacements would be announced “very soon.”
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, blamed the delay in appointing ambassadors on paucity of funds, as foreign officials and other stakeholders raised concerns about the void in diplomatic leadership at various foreign missions.
The ongoing screening exercise is an indication that the Federal government may soon announce the names of the new diplomats and their portfolios.