Presidency: Ambassadorial Nominees Face Tough Multi-Layered Screening

|By Chinwendu Nwani

The Presidency has declared that President Bola Tinubu’s newly nominated ambassador-designates must still clear rigorous hurdles before they can assume duty.

Demola Oshodi, Senior Special Assistant (Protocol) to the President, stated on Arise News’ The Morning Show that the nominees will undergo extensive vetting by the Department of State Services (DSS), the Senate, the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), and even by the countries where they are expected to represent Nigeria.

When asked whether the Senate would easily approve the nominees, Oshodi insisted he could not speak for lawmakers but expressed confidence that the legislators would probe each candidate thoroughly.

“I want to believe they will follow due process, ask the right questions, and get the right answers,” he said. “This vetting process has always existed, and we trust that they will do their job properly.”

Oshodi stressed that the Senate screening is only one step, adding that foreign governments also reserve the right to accept or reject Nigeria’s nominees. “There’s this extensive vetting process for each of these candidates, and if they pass, then they are suitable enough to take that position,” he noted.

He emphasised the urgency of deploying ambassadors, saying Nigeria needs them “on station” to promote the country’s economic, cultural, and security interests.

President Tinubu recently transmitted the list of ambassadorial nominees to the Senate for screening and confirmation.