Former Governors and Notable Figures Nominated for Ambassadorial Appointments

Babatunji Wusu –

• Former governors Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia) and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu), along with former senator Shehu Sani and ex-presidential aide Reno Omokri, have been nominated for ambassadorial roles by the Federal Government.

• The nominees are currently undergoing security screening, including background checks by agencies like the Department of State Services (DSS).

• This development follows Nigeria’s recall of ambassadors from foreign postings nearly a year ago, raising concerns about its diplomatic impact.

• The official announcement of the appointments will be made after the completion of security clearances, with a list expected by the end of the month.

The Federal Government has nominated former governors Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State, alongside former senator Shehu Sani and ex-presidential aide Reno Omokri, for ambassadorial appointments. The nominees are currently undergoing a thorough security vetting process, including background checks by the Department of State Services (DSS), as reported by Vanguard.

This move comes nearly a year after Nigeria’s recall of its ambassadors from foreign missions, a decision that raised concerns about the country’s diplomatic presence and foreign relations. While one nominee has confirmed the appointment anonymously, others have yet to publicly acknowledge their nomination.

A senior official from the Presidency, also speaking on the condition of anonymity, explained that the delay in announcing the appointments is due to the ongoing security checks. “Once they are cleared, the list will be released. Only those who have been cleared are announced. The process is ongoing, and I believe we should have a list before the end of the month,” the official said.