President Bola Tinubu has asked the Senate to validate the visit of former Vice Chancellor of Federal University Oye-Ekiti, Prof. Abayomi Sunday Fashina, as a non-career ambassador/high commissioner-designate.
The demand was communicated in a letter checked out during Wednesday’s plenary by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
In the letter, Tinubu specified that the nomination was made in accordance with the arrangements of the 1999 Constitution (as modified) governing diplomatic consultations and prompted lawmakers to accelerate factor to consider of the request.
“In accordance with the arrangements of Section 121, subsections 2, 3 and 4 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as modified, I am happy to present for verification by the Senate the election of Teacher Abayomi Sunday-Fashina as non-career ambassador/high commissioner-designate,” the president wrote.
Following the reading of the letter, Akpabio referred the nomination to the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs for screening and more legislative action.
The committee was directed to scrutinise the nominee’s credentials and send its report to the Senate within one week, after which legislators are anticipated to vote on the confirmation.
The nomination is part of continuous efforts by the administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu to reinforce Nigeria’s diplomatic representation through the visit of both profession and non-career envoys.
Under Nigeria’s constitutional framework, ambassadorial nominees should undergo Senate screening and confirmation before presuming office. The process typically assesses their professional background, public service record, proficiency and viability for diplomatic assignments.
Non-career ambassadors are typically selected from sectors such as academia, politics, public administration and organization, based on their leadership experience and prominent service.
Fashina, a highly regarded scholastic and administrator, just recently finished his tenure as Vice Chancellor of FUOYE and is widely understood within Nigeria’s higher education sector.
If validated by the Senate, he will sign up with Nigeria’s diplomatic corps and be anticipated to advance the country’s diplomacy goals, reinforce bilateral relations and promote nationwide interests abroad.
The Senate is anticipated to conclude consideration of the nomination after receiving the Foreign Affairs Committee’s report next week.