The Federal Government is currently vetting candidates for diplomatic roles in the country’s foreign missions, which include 109 embassies, 76 high commissions, and 22 consulates, sources have confirmed to Sunday PUNCH. The process comes amid ongoing delays and financial constraints in the appointment of new ambassadors.
Among the names being considered for these roles are former Minister of Aviation Femi Fani-Kayode and former Lagos State Deputy Governor Femi Pedro, who have been identified as nominees for diplomatic positions. Other prominent names mentioned include Fola Adeola, the founder of Guaranty Trust Bank Plc, though the full list of candidates remains classified.
Sources familiar with the process revealed that the vetting is not conducted centrally; rather, nominees are instructed to report to the Department of State Services (DSS) offices closest to them for security checks. A Presidency official confirmed that once security vetting is complete, the names of those cleared will be announced.
“We’re already conducting security checks with DSS. Once the nominees have cleared the checks, we will release the list. The process is ongoing, and we expect to have a list by the end of this month,” said a source in the Presidency, who requested anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the matter.
The delays in the process are largely attributed to a shortage of funds. In September 2023, President Bola Tinubu initiated a review of Nigeria’s foreign policy, resulting in the recall of over 83 ambassadors. However, the process of appointing new diplomats has been hindered by the government’s financial struggles, particularly the $1 billion required to address issues like embassy maintenance, vehicle replacements, and the payment of arrears for foreign service officials.
“The major issue is funding. It’s not just about salaries for the ambassadors; it’s the cost of capital expenditures. Most embassies are rundown, and sending ambassadors to such conditions is problematic,” explained one official familiar with the situation.
Despite the financial challenges, the government has made provisions in the 2025 budget to address some of these concerns, though the allocated funds are deemed insufficient. The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, also pointed to the lack of proper funding as a reason for the delay in the appointments.
“Appointing ambassadors without the financial resources to support them is pointless. The President is working on this, and we expect progress soon,” Tuggar said during a recent briefing.
While the full list of nominees remains confidential, sources suggest that Fani-Kayode and Pedro’s inclusion has generated significant attention. Both individuals have been subjects of controversy, with Fani-Kayode being a frequent figure in Nigerian political debates. However, as the vetting process moves forward, only those who clear security and background checks will be confirmed for the diplomatic positions.
The President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, highlighted the importance of thorough screening for diplomatic roles, stressing that both career and political ambassadors undergo separate vetting processes before their appointments are finalized.
While some of the nominees have declined to comment on the matter, it remains to be seen whether the anticipated list will be ready for submission to the National Assembly by the end of April.
