Fani-Kayode, Femi Pedro among nominees as Tinubu begins diplomatic vetting

The Federal Government is reportedly in the process of screening individuals for diplomatic postings across its 109 foreign missions, comprising 76 embassies, 22 high commissions, and 11 consulates worldwide.

Since September 2023, President Bola Tinubu has been operating his foreign policy agenda—centered on Democracy, Development, Demography, and Diaspora—without ambassadors in place. That same month, he concluded a comprehensive review of Nigeria’s foreign policy, which led to the recall of over 83 ambassadors, both career and non-career.

According to sources who spoke with The Punch, among those being considered for these positions are former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, and former Lagos State Deputy Governor, Femi Pedro.

It was gathered that the screening is decentralized, with nominees directed to undergo vetting at the Department of State Services (DSS) offices closest to their locations.

Presidency officials confirmed that several nominees have already been contacted and asked to submit personal details, including their educational background and work history.

“They are undergoing DSS security checks. Once that’s completed, the list will be made public,” an official disclosed. “Only those who pass the checks will be announced. We expect to have a full list by the end of April.”

Another source emphasized that the decentralized approach allows nominees to complete vetting based on their geographical location. “They’ve been asked to provide personal history, including academic and professional records. It’s being done locally,” the source said.

Though the final list remains classified, insiders reveal that several high-profile and potentially controversial figures are being assessed.

“The appointments will be announced soon. The screening is ongoing,” a senior official confirmed. “Femi Fani-Kayode is among those being considered, along with Fola Adeola, founder of GTBank, and Femi Pedro. This time, the process is progressing more swiftly.”

Officials also stressed the importance of the thorough vetting process, noting that background checks are essential to ensure that none of the nominees pose a security risk or could damage Nigeria’s international reputation.

“The goal is to prevent future complications. We can’t afford diplomatic missteps, especially on the global stage,” one official added.