President Bola Tinubu has nominated erstwhile Vice-Chancellor Prof. Abayomi Sunday Fashina, as a non-career ambassador and high commissioner-designate.
The nomination was conveyed in a letter read on the floor of the Senate on Thursday by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
President Tinubu stated that the nomination was made in line with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
Reading the electronically transmitted letter during Thursday's plenary sitting, Akpabio quoted the executive communication: “In accordance with the provisions of Section 171 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as amended, I am pleased to present for confirmation by the Senate the nomination of Prof. Abayomi Sunday Fashina as non-career ambassador/high commissioner-designate.”
The letter continued: “Attached herewith is the nominee's curriculum vitae. While I hope that the Senate will consider and confirm the nominee expeditiously, please accept, distinguished Senate President and distinguished senators, the assurances of my highest consideration.”
Following the reading of the letter, Akpabio referred the nomination to the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs for further legislative action, directing the committee to report back to the chamber within one week.
Under Nigeria’s constitutional framework, ambassadorial nominees must undergo screening and confirmation by the Senate before they can officially represent the country in strategic foreign missions. The process typically involves an assessment of the nominee's professional background, public service record, competence, and suitability for diplomatic assignments.
Non-career ambassadors are usually drawn from outside the country’s professional foreign service corps, frequently selected from academia, politics, public administration, and the private sector where they have demonstrated leadership.
Prof. Fashina, a prominent figure within Nigeria’s higher education sector, served as the Vice-Chancellor of FUOYE, during which the institution recorded significant milestones in growth and institutional recognition.
His nomination is expected to undergo legislative scrutiny during the screening process, where senators will evaluate his credentials and readiness to represent Nigeria’s diplomatic interests abroad.