President Bola Tinubu has officially asked the Senate to confirm the appointment of the immediate past vice-chancellor of the Federal University, Oye-Ekiti, Prof. Abayomi Fashina, as a non-career ambassador/high commissioner designate.
Tinubu’s request was contained in a letter transmitted to the upper legislative chamber and read during Wednesday’s plenary by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
Tinubu, in the latter, noted that the nomination was made in line with constitutional provisions governing diplomatic appointments and urged lawmakers to consider the request expeditiously.
“In accordance with the provisions of section 121, subsections 2, 3, and 4 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 Professor Abayomi Sunday-Fashina as non-career ambassador/high commissioner-designate,” the letter reads.
“Attached herewith is the nominee’s curriculum vitae.”
“Whilst 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.”
After reviewing the letter, Akpabio submitted the nominee to the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs for review and future legislative action.
The committee was tasked with conducting the requisite scrutiny of the nominee and submitting its report to the Senate within one week, clearing the way for a final confirmation vote by lawmakers.
The nomination comes amid the Tinubu administration’s continuous attempts to expand Nigeria’s diplomatic corps, which includes the appointment of various career and non-career envoys to represent the country in critical overseas embassies.
Under Nigeria’s constitution, ambassadorial nominees must be screened and confirmed by the Senate before taking office.
The process usually includes an evaluation of their professional background, public service record, competence, and aptitude for diplomatic posts.
Non-career ambassadors are typically chosen from outside the country’s professional foreign service, including academics, politics, public administration, commerce, and other fields where they have exhibited remarkable service and leadership.
Fashina, an academic and administrator, was vice chancellor of the Federal University Oye-Ekiti and is well-known in Nigeria’s higher education industry.
His nomination is expected to draw legislative scrutiny during the screening process, when senators would assess his qualifications and readiness to represent Nigeria’s interests abroad.
If confirmed, Fashina will join a growing number of ambassadorial appointees tasked with advancing Nigeria’s foreign policy goals, strengthening bilateral relations, and promoting the country’s economic and diplomatic interests in the international community.
The Senate’s examination of the nomination is likely to be completed after the Foreign Affairs Committee sends its report to the chamber next week.
