The Federal Government has completed security vetting for Nigeria’s new diplomatic nominees across 109 global missions, with the final list now awaiting President Bola Tinubu’s approval before legislative consideration. Multiple presidential sources confirmed that the Department of State Services (DSS) has cleared candidates for 76 embassies, 22 high commissions and 11 consulates, though transmission to the National Assembly missed this week’s expected timeline.
The delay comes as Tinubu conducts a mid-term review of his administration during a working visit to Paris. While officials confirm the background check process concluded Wednesday, financial constraints appear to be the final hurdle – with $1 billion required to cover embassy renovations, vehicle replacements and unpaid allowances before new postings can commence.
This concludes a seven-month diplomatic vacuum since September 2023, when Tinubu recalled all ambassadors to realign foreign policy under his “4D” (Democracy, Development, Demography and Diaspora) framework. Foreign Minister Yusuf Tuggar had previously cited funding shortages as delaying the appointments, particularly the capital expenditure needed to rehabilitate Nigeria’s aging diplomatic facilities worldwide.
Presidency sources indicate the list could be forwarded to lawmakers upon Tinubu’s return from France, where he’s evaluating his administration’s performance ahead of its second anniversary. The nominees’ disclosure will end months of speculation after missed deadlines in December 2024 and January 2025.
