Nigeria’s diplomatic ranks may soon witness a major shake-up, as the Federal Government has nominated former Abia State Governor Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, ex-Enugu Governor Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, former Kaduna Senator Shehu Sani, and ex-presidential aide Reno Omokri for ambassadorial roles. The nomination process is currently at the security screening stage, with vetting ongoing across multiple agencies.
Confidential sources within the Presidency confirmed that the Department of State Services (DSS) and other intelligence bodies began background checks on the nominees in late March 2025. Official clearance is required before their names can be publicly announced and forwarded to the National Assembly for confirmation. The vetting process is expected to conclude before April 30, as the government moves to reconstitute its foreign service.
This latest round of nominations follows the October 2023 recall of all Nigerian ambassadors from their global postings, a move that left many foreign missions without high-level representation for months. The recall drew criticism from the diplomatic community and stakeholders who raised concerns about the impact on bilateral relations and Nigeria’s global visibility.
Dr. Ikpeazu and Hon. Ugwuanyi both served as state governors from 2015 to 2023 under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and are seen as strategic political figures with strong administrative experience. Their nominations may also reflect a broader political balancing act by the Tinubu administration aimed at building bridges across party lines.
Human rights activist and public commentator Shehu Sani, who served in the Senate between 2015 and 2019, is known for his vocal stance on governance, security, and civil liberties. Reno Omokri, a bestselling author and former aide to President Goodluck Jonathan, has remained a high-profile figure in political discourse, especially across digital media platforms.
Though none of the nominees have issued official statements confirming their nomination, a source close to one of them said, “They’ve all submitted their credentials, and some have already undergone DSS interviews. Until the clearance is complete, they’ve been asked to remain silent.”
Analysts say the move signals President Bola Tinubu’s intent to reshape Nigeria’s global image by appointing public figures with high visibility, political influence, and diplomatic potential. With global diplomatic competition tightening, these ambassadorial choices could help reinvigorate Nigeria’s presence on the international stage.
