The Federal Government has completed the vetting of individuals nominated to serve in Nigeria’s diplomatic missions abroad, with the list now awaiting formal transmission to the National Assembly.
It is learnt that the Department of State Services (DSS) and other relevant agencies have concluded security and background checks on the nominees expected to fill positions in 109 foreign missions, including 76 embassies, 22 high commissions, and 11 consulates.
Although the final list was expected to reach the Senate earlier in the week, President Bola Tinubu has yet to transmit the names. The delay comes as the President continues a two-week working visit to Paris, France, which began on April 2.
“During the visit, the President will appraise his administration’s mid-term performance and assess key milestones,” Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy had said in a statement.
Onanuga further noted that the President would also use the retreat to “review the progress of ongoing reforms and engage in strategic planning ahead of his administration’s second anniversary.”
Following the conclusion of vetting, sources have confirmed the delay in forwarding the list to the legislature.
“They have finished the DSS checks. That part is done. In fact, we were expecting the names to be out by yesterday or earlier than that. But so far, it looks like he (President Tinubu) still needs a little more time. Our eyes were up for this week. But it is confirmed that the background checks are over,” a presidency source said under the condition of anonymity.
Another official echoed the sentiment, saying, “The names were supposed to be out earlier than yesterday (Wednesday). We’re not sure where the delay is coming from.”
Following presidential nomination, ambassadorial candidates must be screened and confirmed by the Senate.
Upon confirmation, they undergo orientation and receive Letters of Credence before assuming official duties in host countries.
The latest holdup is reportedly linked to final adjustments to the nominee list.
“What I learned is that there are some last-minute changes to be made because once you release names like these, it becomes embarrassing for the government to start changing and apologising.
“If you pick someone who turns it down, it could embarrass the President. I know we were expecting it on Monday and Tuesday.
“The names were expected this week. But I can assure you that the DSS and the other agencies have done the bulk of their part. If there are some remaining, it should be one or two. But they have done their part,” a source said.
A senior foreign service officer also noted that President Tinubu has been cautious about the financial burden of the exercise.
“From what I have seen, the President is reluctant to do this because of the cost. He feels the money could be used for more pressing issues at home, such as domestic reforms.
“You know, there is a lot of pressure internationally from the diplomatic community, the diaspora and general stakeholders. He’d rather use those funds for domestic issues, which feel more urgent.
“It is going to be released. But it is not clear how soon. I’ll be quite surprised if they are deployed early in the year. The process is slow,” the official said.
It will be recalled that in September 2023, President Bola Tinubu recalled all Nigerian ambassadors, both career and non-career. In March 2025, the Presidency announced that replacements would be unveiled “very soon.”
Minister of Foreign Affairs Yusuf Tuggar previously confirmed that the reason ambassadors weren’t yet appointed was due to “a money problem.”
“There is no point in sending out ambassadors if you do not have the funds for them to even travel to their designated country and run the missions effectively; one needs funding. Mr President is working on it, and it will be done in due course,” Tuggar said during a briefing last May.
