President Bola Tinubu’s administration has commenced screening of candidates for ambassadorial postings across its 109 diplomatic missions, including 76 embassies, 22 high commissions, and 11 consulates.
News Band understand that 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.
According to a source, two former South-Eastern governors, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi and Okezie Ikpeazu, have been screened for the role.
The source further revealed that Shehu Sani, who recently returned to the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Mr. Reno Omokri, are among the nominees who have also been screened.
Since September 2023, President Bola Tinubu has operated his foreign policy built on the “4Ds”—Democracy, Development, Demography, and Diaspora—without confirmed ambassadors in place. That same month, he recalled more than 83 ambassadors, both career and political.
Nearly two years after their recall, the presidency, in March 2025, said that their replacements would announced “very soon.”
One insider source said the delay was largely due to the estimated $1 billion required to settle outstanding obligations including the arrears of foreign service staff, renovations, and vehicle replacements.
However, with the ongoing screening exercise, the Federal Government may soon announce the names of the new diplomats and their portfolios.
