Shehu Sani, Reno Omokri, Pedro among prominent figures tipped for Ambassadorial roles

The Nigerian government is reportedly finalizing a list of high-profile nominees for ambassadorial appointments, signaling a major diplomatic reshuffle that could see several notable political figures representing the country abroad.

Among those tipped for the prestigious foreign postings are former federal lawmaker Senator Shehu Sani, ex-presidential aide Reno Omokri, and former governors Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia) and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu).

Also on the reported list are Fola Adeola, the respected founder of Guaranty Trust Bank Plc; former Lagos State Deputy Governor Femi Pedro; and controversial political figure and former minister, Femi Fani-Kayode.

According to multiple sources, including a report by Vanguard, the nominees are currently undergoing security screening by the Department of State Services (DSS).

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Only candidates who pass the vetting process will be included in the final list to be forwarded to the National Assembly for confirmation.

An anonymous appointee reportedly confirmed their nomination on Sunday, stating that the process was ongoing and under strict confidentiality due to the security protocols involved.

A presidency source, who also spoke on the condition of anonymity, confirmed the ongoing vetting and emphasized that the list will only be made public once all nominees clear their DSS checks.

“When those appointed have cleared security checks, we will release the list,” the official said. “Only those who have been cleared are announced. The process is ongoing. I know we should have a list before the end of this month.”

The nominations come months after Nigeria recalled nearly all its ambassadors from foreign missions in 2023, leaving several diplomatic posts vacant.

The recall, which the government described as part of a broader overhaul of its foreign service, was met with concerns over the gap in Nigeria’s global representation.

The prolonged delay in naming replacements has also drawn criticism from some quarters. However, presidential media aide Bayo Onanuga previously defended the cautious pace of appointments, stressing that thoroughness was necessary.

“These are sensitive roles. Nominations for ambassadorial positions must undergo intense scrutiny before any final list is submitted to the National Assembly,” Onanuga noted in an earlier statement.

The inclusion of politically prominent figures—some of whom have been vocal critics or allies of past administrations—has sparked conversations around the strategic implications of the appointments.

While some observers see the move as an attempt by President Bola Tinubu’s administration to foster political inclusivity and reward loyalty, others caution that diplomatic competence should outweigh political calculations.

If confirmed, the appointments would signal a return to public service for many of the nominees, some of whom have been relatively quiet on the national scene in recent years.

The final list of ambassadors is expected to be released before the end of April, pending the outcome of the DSS screening.

Once announced, the nominees will undergo Senate confirmation in line with constitutional requirements.

As Nigeria seeks to reassert its diplomatic presence on the global stage, the caliber and composition of its next. batch of ambassadors will be closely watched both at home and abroad.