President Bola Tinubu has actually asked the Senate to confirm the consultation of previous Vice Chancellor of Federal University Oye-Ekiti, Prof. Abayomi Sunday Fashina, as a non-career ambassador/high commissioner-designate.
The request was communicated in a letter checked out throughout Wednesday’s plenary by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
In the letter, Tinubu mentioned that the election was made in accordance with the arrangements of the 1999 Constitution (as modified) governing diplomatic appointments and urged legislators to accelerate factor to consider of the request.
“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 president composed.
Following the reading of the letter, Akpabio referred the nomination to the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs for screening and further legal action.
The committee was directed to scrutinise the candidate’s credentials and submit its report to the Senate within one week, after which legislators are anticipated to vote on the confirmation.
The nomination becomes part of continuous efforts by the administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu to enhance Nigeria’s diplomatic representation through the appointment of both career and non-career envoys.
Under Nigeria’s constitutional structure, ambassadorial candidates need to undergo Senate screening and confirmation before presuming workplace. The process usually evaluates their professional background, civil service record, skills and suitability for diplomatic projects.
Non-career ambassadors are often selected from sectors such as academic community, politics, public administration and business, based on their leadership experience and prominent service.
Fashina, a highly regarded scholastic and administrator, just recently completed his tenure as Vice Chancellor of FUOYE and is extensively known within Nigeria’s higher education sector.
If confirmed by the Senate, he will join Nigeria’s diplomatic corps and be anticipated to advance the nation’s foreign policy goals, reinforce bilateral relations and promote national interests abroad.
The Senate is expected to conclude consideration of the nomination after getting the Foreign Affairs Committee’s report next week.